John McClane: Hey Jeremy,

The Blues have made public that they don't want to 'rush' any kids into the lineup. Even though Alex Pietriangelo seemingly looks good moving the puck up ice, he still lacks defensive attributes.

Being Alex IS only 19, and in spite of what Blues fans really want, is it a given that Alex is going to stay with the Blues the entire year?

I contend that it is not a 'given' that Alex will play more than his 9 games with the Blues irregardless of his offensive upside. What are your thoughts on this matter?

Jeremy Rutherford:
At this point, Pietrangelo's offensive abilities are ahead of his defensive abilities, but that's to be expected for a 19-year-old in the NHL. If Darryl Sydor, who has played 17 years and won two Stanley Cups, is stilling learning something every day (as he told me Wednesday), then it's no wonder how difficult it must be for a rookie like Pietrangelo.

For anybody who remembers, I thought he would stay with the Blues last year. Looking back, that wasn't very smart. He physically wasn't ready to handle the load. Now he is ready. Will he stay past nine games. Take it for what it's worth, but I think he will. The Blues could soon have eight healthy defensemen, but if Pietrangelo is still playing well, he will stay.

The Blues won't let Pietrangelo be a victim of a number's game. If he is playing well, he stays . . . that simple.

Ryan: JR, did you catch Backes on the Today Show on Wednesday morning? Is this a sign that he's a lock to make the team? I wouldn't think he would be one of the few representing USA hockey if they weren't planning on him being on the team. With his slow start, I'm not so sure though.

Jeremy Rutherford:
I would never say that a guy is a lock to be Olympian because he was on a TV show, BUT yes, I think you're onto something.

USA Hockey approached the Blues about taking Backes away from practice for a day and using him to promote the 2010 Olympics on the Today Show. I suppose if Backes has only two goals through December, Brian Burke could leave him off the roster. But Burke has never hidden his feelings for Backes as a player, not to mention that would be pretty shady to make Backes fly him up to New York for an appearance on the Today Show and then not include him on the team. I think Wednesday's developments were a good indicator that he'll be on the team.

The question now is, could Backes be the captain???

Thomas: Hey JR

If the offense continues to struggle, do you see the Blues unloading a top tier prospect to land a scoring winger??

Jeremy Rutherford: I don't think so. Not this early. The Blues are in a funk offensively, but this happens throughout the course of a long season. The team could score 10 goals in the next two games and we're not talking about this anymore. If the Blues are averaging a goal a game and the calendar says "December," then yes, something will happen. But right now, I think the club is looking at the slump as part of the ups and downs of the season.

But let's say the Blues were interested in a scoring winger . . . who's available?

djm448: Are the Blues planning on having a Brett Hull Hall of Fame night this season?

Jeremy Rutherford: I haven't heard about one, but I'm sure it's been talked about. I've more talk about a statue of Hull joining the statues of MacInnis and Federko in front of Scottrade Center. I don't know when it will be ready, or when the Blues will unveil, but it's definitely on the way.

FYI, the Blues are planning to honor John Davidson on Nov. 14 before the team's game against San Jose. JD will be in Toronto with Hull on Monday to receive the Foster Hewitt Award.

Dan in San Antonio: What is your sense of how the players are taking this offensive drought?

You frequently hear players say that they are gripping the stick too tight and aren't playing loose when they are in a scoring drought. But how does that get undone? After two straight games with no goals, and a game against a good team coming, are they able to keep their attitudes positive?

Jeremy Rutherford: The Blues just have to relax. They have seemed uptight lately, and the only way to get out of that is to relax. It's easier said than done, but I expect that you'll see the team play a little looser tonight.