JR Live
Blues beat writer Jeremy Rutherford goes one-on-one with readers from 1-2 p.m. Thursday in a live chat.
Thursday, July 22, 2010 01:00 PM CDT
comments & answers
Who's happy with the David Perron extension? Probably everybody. Looks like a pretty fair deal for both sides. That and other topics in today's chat. Let's get chattin . . .
Hey Jeremy Rutherford,
we enjoy the Blues comments each thurs. Keep up the great work.
With all the trades and free agents being picked up in the off season, where do you see the blues in terms of rankings starting out? Mid to upper teams? We are still so young.....
Also, Jake Allen has been pretty good and is still young. Ben Bishop has been in the Blues organization for a while. Will Ben get passed up? He had and still does have great potential...home grown st. louisian....
we enjoy the Blues comments each thurs. Keep up the great work.
With all the trades and free agents being picked up in the off season, where do you see the blues in terms of rankings starting out? Mid to upper teams? We are still so young.....
Also, Jake Allen has been pretty good and is still young. Ben Bishop has been in the Blues organization for a while. Will Ben get passed up? He had and still does have great potential...home grown st. louisian....
Jeremy Rutherford:
It's a little hard to gauge because Halak hasn't been a No. 1 for a full season in the NHL. But he was pretty good last season and outstanding in the playoffs. Halak is the least of the Blues' worries, though. They need to score, and they need to move the puck out of their zone. I'll also be keeping an eye on the PK, following the loss of Mike Weaver.
Having said all of that, I wouldn't put the Blues in the top eight in the West if we were picking today. They're very young and need a lot of players to step up in order to make the playoffs. I'm not saying it can't be done, but you're being pretty optimistic if you have them slotted in the top eight in the West.
As far as Bishop and Allen, this year will tell a lot. They'll be battling for ice time in Peoria, which will be a great test for both of them. Bishop could really improve his stock within in the organization by outplaying Allen.
It's a little hard to gauge because Halak hasn't been a No. 1 for a full season in the NHL. But he was pretty good last season and outstanding in the playoffs. Halak is the least of the Blues' worries, though. They need to score, and they need to move the puck out of their zone. I'll also be keeping an eye on the PK, following the loss of Mike Weaver.
Having said all of that, I wouldn't put the Blues in the top eight in the West if we were picking today. They're very young and need a lot of players to step up in order to make the playoffs. I'm not saying it can't be done, but you're being pretty optimistic if you have them slotted in the top eight in the West.
As far as Bishop and Allen, this year will tell a lot. They'll be battling for ice time in Peoria, which will be a great test for both of them. Bishop could really improve his stock within in the organization by outplaying Allen.
So as it stands today who of note will be a UFA after the 2011-2012 season?
Jeremy Rutherford: So not including guys who will be UFA after next season? You're wondering about UFAs after 2011-12 . . .
Boyes, McClement, Jackman, Colaiacovo each have two years left and will UFA after that.
Boyes, McClement, Jackman, Colaiacovo each have two years left and will UFA after that.
Hey Jr, do you like the Perron signing? Will he still be a RFA at end of this contract?
Jeremy Rutherford:
It's a fair deal for both sides and the Blues have to love the fact that Perron will be an RFA when the deal expires. He'll be 24, have five years in the league, and they can have a real good idea of what kind of player he'll be before handing him the big bucks.
It's a fair deal for both sides and the Blues have to love the fact that Perron will be an RFA when the deal expires. He'll be 24, have five years in the league, and they can have a real good idea of what kind of player he'll be before handing him the big bucks.
With the signing of David Perron, are the Blues any closer to a deal with Erik Johnson? What kind of term and money do you think he will get?
Jeremy Rutherford: I talked to GM Doug Armstrong and Johnson's agent, Pat Brisson, yesterday and both admitted that they're not close to striking a deal. Brisson said the Blues want a short-term deal and Johnson is looking for a long-term deal. Armstrong had a quote in my story today, explaining why the Blues are looking for a short-term deal.
My guess is the Blues want to keep Johnson below $3 million per year on a two-year deal. I believe Johnson' camp is looking for $4 million per year on a one or two-year deal. We'll have to see how it plays out.
My guess is the Blues want to keep Johnson below $3 million per year on a two-year deal. I believe Johnson' camp is looking for $4 million per year on a one or two-year deal. We'll have to see how it plays out.
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