Jeremy Rutherford: I hope everybody is doing well. I just got back from trout fishing with Chris Kerber. Let's just say he's a better broadcaster than a fisherman. To your questions . . .

Joel: Interested in what contracts are likely to be renewed this summer?

We also have EJ and Brewer coming back and hopefully Pietrangelo will be ready to come up, who do you see being the six defense this year?

Any buzz about a forward free agent signing?

Jeremy Rutherford:
It's still early, but I've written that among the unrestricted free agents, Tkachuk, Winchester and Weaver could be back. Manny Legace and Dan Hinote will not be back.

Among the restricted players, I expect Jay McClement and Roman Polak will get new contracts and B.J. Crombeen should be qualified. Jeff Woywitka is a question mark.

No word yet on who the Blues are targeting in free agency.

txbluesfan44: JR,

I have a hunch that Pronger may return to the Blues around draft day. Any new updates on this front? I certainly wouldnt want to part with Perron, Oshie or Berglund, but would you be in favor of a deal involving Pietrangelo, Sonne and our 17th overall in the first?

The obvious answer is to wait until next off-season and sign him as a UFA, but if he is in fact traded, I'm sure it would be with the understanding that the acquiring team would sign him to an extension, otherwise Anaheim would have to give him away.

Jeremy Rutherford: I like Chris Pronger and I think he would be good for this team. I don't think they will win the Stanley Cup next year, so I would wait to sign Pronger as a free agent after the season. Your package idea is one that could make sense for both teams, but I personally wouldn't give up Pietrangelo and/or Sonne and No. 1 for a player you can sign in one more year. Yes, if you trade for him, you'll likely re-sign him, but I wouldn't want to give up a good prospect.

Those who disagree with me might say that having Pronger this year would make others around him better, and that's true, but the cost seems to be too expensive.

sc: JR,

We all know there is a good chance this team will make a run at Progs over the summer, so my question is this: What is the most this team will give up to aquire him (assuming that Petro would be included in any package)?

Thanks,

SC

Jeremy Rutherford: I'm sure Pietrangelo's name would come up. I've also heard David Perron and Roman Polak, although that was before Perron played so well in the playoffs. I have to believe that Polak showed enough upside, too, this season that the Blues don't want to part with him.

CvO: Is there any concern with Brad Boyes +/- number from last year? I feel it says so much about a player. Also, what is the chance we break the century mark in points next year?

Jeremy Rutherford: Yes, there's plenty of concern with Brad Boyes' -20 this season. The Blues aren't happy with his defensive play or his lack of aggressiveness in either zone.

Remember Andy Murray actually started over the plus-minus numbers for all of the players at the midway point last season. At that time, Boyes was a minus-23. He was a plus-3 in the final 41 games, so that was a good sign.

Breaking 100 points might be asking a lot, but if Chris Mason plays well and Paul Kariya bounces back to form, I suppose it's possible.