Jeremy Rutherford: Sorry I'm late . . . I just posted a Morning Skate blog with a few news items. Take a look if you get a chance. Let's get rolling this week!

JD: How is DJ King doing after his surgery? Do you know exactly what was repaired inside his shoulder and what his recovery time is expected to be?

Thanks.

Jeremy Rutherford:
I don't know exactly what was repaired. The Blues said it was a dislocated shoulder that needed surgery. I talked to King the other day and he said he's ready to start the rehab, and can't believe it's going to take the whole season. The recovery will be many months, but he should be fine for training camp in September.

blueshattrick: Hey Jeremy:
Have more of a "fun" question for you, one I have asked various friends who are hockey fans too! Suppose I could grant you an NHL career (you're welcome), and told you that you could score exactly 100 goals during your time in the league. You are free to distribute them any way you want. What do you go for, a stellar but singular 100-goal season? A steady career of 10 a year? Something different? Maybe a distribution that would make you the most money?

Thanks for your chats, and insight on the Blues! Jim

Jeremy Rutherford: That's a great question. I would do this . . . I would have two 50-goal seasons. After the first one, you'd collect a big paycheck, and then just to show it wasn't a fluke, I'd turn in another 50-goal season. Then, according to your hypothetical situation, I'd fall off the face of the earth. Everybody would be wondering what happened to me, but I'd have two 50-goal seasons and $25 million in the bank. A guy who scores 10 goals per year for 10 years probably wont' make $25 million.

Puckmvr: JR,

1) What is the all-time record for man-games lost due to injury for the Blues and for the league?
2) When teams go to 4-on-4 in overtime, what is the typical formation? 3 forwards and 1 D, or 2 and 2? If 3 and 1, what kind of adjustment does the D-man have to make; and if 2 and 2, how are forwards paired?

Thanks for your insightful coverage!

Jeremy Rutherford: 1) I don't know that anybody would have the NHL record for man-games lost . . . I could check with Elias. The Blues are at 84 already and that number will be astronomical at the end of the year with Erik Johnson and D.J. King out for the year.

2) It varies from team to team and even year to year. Last year, the Blues sometimes used to penalty-killing forwards and two defensemen. This year they were using skilled guys like Kariya and McDonald with two defensemen. I could be wrong, but I think they used four forwards once this year. But usually it's two forwards and two d-men.

3) I understand the question, and of course it's a change in the style of play in OT, but I don't think it's a huge adjustment for the D. Likewise, I don't think there's much thought put into which forwards are paired together. Moreso, after picking up the point in OT, the coach must decide if he wants to be offensive-minded and go for the two points or play for a shootout.

Blues fan from Oregon: In the game against Montreal, Andy Murray used Boyes, Perron, and Tkachuk. Watching the shootout brought up several questions for me:

1. Please list the top five Blues players with the highest shootout percentage.
2. Before the injuries, Murray consistently use Boyes, McDonald, and Kariya. Does AM have a "depth" chart on who attempts the shootout? or do coaches go with players having a hot hand that game (e.g., using Regier).
3. I want to know the decision making process on how Blues coaches decide who will attempt the shootout? Do the coaches have stats on how certain players fare against certain goalies?
4. How many Blues players never had a shootout attempt?

Jeremy Rutherford:
1. I'll have to look up the shootout stats . . . I don't have them in front of me.
2. Murray usually goes with the hot-hand and usually gives the first opportunity to his veterans.
3. They do have some trends to go by, but they practice the shootout several times a week at the end of practice, and they know who will give them their best shot. It doesn't always work that way.