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1Jeremy Rutherford
21h ago
3Happy Thursday afternoon to everyone! The Blues are back in action tonight in Vancouver -- late game at 9 pm CT and we're planning to have a post-game discussion thread. So to get you prepared, let's forget about the Christmas shopping for a couple hours and answer your questions. Let's get chattin …
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6Nathan C.
71h ago
8Unpopular take: Jay Bouwmeester still has some skill left. He played a good game against Calgary!
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11Kurt P.
121h ago
13Abysmal start to the season, but he’s looked much better. I’d chalk his slow start to still recovering from his injury.
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17Jeremy Rutherford
181h ago
19@Nathan C. He looks OK a game here and there, and I give him credit for that, but he's not the answer. I understand that Bouwmeester might be giving the Blues a little better chance to win than Schmaltz, but that said, Schmaltz is a team asset and Bouwmeester will be gone after the year. I don't understand why the Blues are letting an asset further diminish in the pressbox. Play him, trade him or put him through waivers to play in San Antonio. What difference does it make if you lose him on waivers, he's not playing anyway. Next year? You just re-signed Bortuzzo. Where's Schmaltz playing next year?
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22Andy C.
232h ago
24Good Afternoon JR. Is the locker room nonsense we hear actually something to worry about? I get the feeling that if the locker room issue was actually a big deal, Army would have traded Steen or Petro to resolve it rather easily right? It seems like a simple solution if the team actually felt the problem was causing the poor performance.
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27Alan B.
281h ago
29They both have NTCs so it's not that easy, unfortunately.
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31Andy C.
321h ago
33@Alan B. If neither of them like the other, there shouldn't be anything that would keep them from wanting to play for a winner without the locker room drama, though.
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35Andy C.
361h ago
37@Alan B. If neither of them like the other, there shouldn't be anything that would keep them from wanting to play for a winner without the locker room drama, though.
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40Jeremy Rutherford
411h ago
42@Andy C. Both Pietrangelo and Steen have no-trade clauses and I believe both want to stay here, so Army doesn't have total control of that. If you want to ask, 'Why did he re-sign them if he knew about this?' Well, the Blues have had a lot of success with these two guys, so he re-signed them several years ago, and it wasn't until the second half of last season when the locker room issues really started to rear their ugly head. When the issues came to light, knowing he couldn't trade him, Army did the next best thing trying to surround them with other leader-types like O'Reilly, Schenn, etc., But as we know, that hasn't worked either. I do think it is an issue and I do believe Army is trying to correct it.
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45Thomas G.
461h ago
47So, now that Berglund has cleared...any chance he comes back to STL assuming all is well with him personally?
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50Bill S.
511h ago
52That's a great question. Lots of scribes hinting around about his mental health. JR, did you notice anything with Berglund over the years that would lead you to believe he may be dealing with some serious issues?
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55Jeremy Rutherford
561h ago
57@Thomas G. I wouldn't rule it out, I'll say that. It doesn't make sense on a lot of fronts: Berglund didn't do much for the Blues when he was here, he's slow, he's probably ticked at the Blues for trading him and the team has cap issues. But as I tweeted, I've learned over the years to never rule out Army bringing back a player he's familiar with, and I know Berglund never wanted to leave. I don't think it will happen, but it wouldn't shock me.
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60Mark A.
611h ago
62So much talent.
63So little heart.
64What must change?
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67Jeremy Rutherford
681h ago
69@Mark A. The culture/atmosphere. I think there are two many players worried about themselves, who believe they're playing pretty well. There aren't enough guys who feel like they're part of the problem. They aren't enough players saying to themselves, 'I am part of the problem and I'm going to change that and be part of the solution.' 
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71We see this team play VERY well some nights, and that's because they're backed into a corner, they're tired of answering the same questions, and they have the talent, so they just play. But as I've said, I don't think they play for each other, and you can't get through an 82-game schedule if you're intentions aren't genuine. You might have good nights like we've seen, but over the long haul, the result is going to be the lack of consistency we continue to see.
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74Timothy E.
751h ago
76@Jeremy Rutherford "I think there are two many players worried about themselves" Freudian slip?
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80Jeremy Rutherford
8158m ago
82@Timothy E. Oops, no, just a typical Rutherford typo …. "too" many.
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84Kevin L.
852h ago
86What is your take on what Armstrong's plans/expectations are today? Does he still think this team can turn it around, or is he looking at who to move and how to maximize their value in terms of future benefit? I guess in the end I'm wondering if we can expect to be picking in the first round a couple of times this summer or if we should expect status quo for now?
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90Jeremy Rutherford
911h ago
92@Kevin L. I think Armstrong felt a week or two ago like there was still plenty of time, so I don't think was ready earlier this month to make any big moves. But I think with a couple more no-show performances (6-1 loss to Vancouver, 7-2 loss to Calgary), which leave the Blues 14 points out in the Central and nine points out in the wildcard, he's probably being a little more realistic about the situation as we approach Christmas.
93They have won three of four and four of six heading into tonight's game, but do we really believe this team is ready to reel off eight wins in their next 10 games … because that's what they need to do to even give themselves a glimmer of hope.
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95If Armstrong alters the team, though, I don't expect a rebuild as we sit here today. There is interest in Blues players who are available (Pietrangelo, Tarasenko, Schenn, etc.) and I've heard both established players and prospects/picks coming back in return. But for now, I don't expect Army to start moving these guys for assets with a three or four-year rebuild in mind.
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98Tom W.
991h ago
100Thanks as always for the chat, JR! I was just curious about the mood in the press box during Blues games. It can't be fun covering a team that isn't fun for the fans to watch. Do you guys keep it light with friendly wagers/jokes/etc, or is it all business all the time?
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103Jeremy Rutherford
1041h ago
105@Tom W. Ha, good question. I've said this before: any professional journalist doesn't care about whether the team wins or loses, even a guy like me who grew up in St. Louis. But you're right, I'd be lying if I didn't admit that it's a lot more fun, and it's a better work environment when the team is winning. As far as the pressbox, I wouldn't say that this season is any different about how we entertain ourselves. I think we're probably going through what a lot of other people are going through, just scratching our heads about what is going wrong. When it's your job to make sense of the team's ups and downs, when the team itself can't even make sense of it, it's frustrating. You feel like you're not doing your job if you can't come up with answers. So it's business as usual, which means I'm still giving my buddy Lou Korac as many jabs as possible.
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108Rhonda H.
1092h ago
110Thanks as always JR. My question is what is with the constant shuttle between San Antonio and St Louis for Zach Sanford. I personally would rather him stay with the Rampage for an extended period of time and be one of the main cogs down there along with Kyrou. I worry that the constant shuttle will hinder his development, especially with the culture currently in St. Louis. What are your thoughts?
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114Jeremy Rutherford
1151h ago
116@Rhonda H. It really hasn't been a shuttle situation. He started the season in the minors because he just wasn't ready, but then he got in 23 straight games with the Blues. That was huge for him. He wasn't playing well lately and Schwartz came back, so Sanford was a healthy scratch for two games. The ONLY reason they sent him to San Antonio this time was because they wanted him to play a game. He went down there, played a game, played very well, and rejoined the team. That was the plan. If San Antonio didn't have a game, he would have never went down for a day. He's a part of this team, they just want to get him playing a little better before they put him back in the lineup.
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119John F.
1201h ago
121I don’t get all the Zach Sanford stuff. The guy had 2 points in his last 17 games. Clearly he isn’t cutting it.
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123S. K.
1241h ago
125JR, 
126Can I win a free TheAthletic subscription for the next year for my guessing?
127I believe that the first "former NHL coach" in your most recent Blues article was definitely Yeo... Well, you left us some great marks to believe that, like "Schwartzy" :) Seriously, never any coach who has not coached him in person would call him like that, and Yeo did it many times with the media (I watched many of his pressers) when he was his/the Blues coach. 
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129And then: Chief, Otter, Ryno - hah-hah-hah :)
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131Good job, JR, thanks for talking to Yeo :) How he is doing, still in STL or has moved?
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133Have I won the prize? :)
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136Hunter M.
1371h ago
138JR you got any inside scoop on the Berglund situation?
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141Jeremy Rutherford
14259m ago
143@Hunter M. I'm not sure what you've heard/read, so I don't know if I have any more information for you. I wouldn't really call this "inside scoop," but in talking to writers in Buffalo, it sound like he was never a fit there and when they started scratching him, he wanted out. He told the Sabres that he was sick and they found out that he wasn't sick, and instead he was in New York City living it up. Then when players were meeting for a flight to Washington, he didn't show and they suspended him. The Sabres put him on waivers yesterday, and he cleared today, so they are free of his contract. It is a very difficult situation to comprehend because by not showing up at the airport and being released, Berglund is walking away from $10 million. I liked Berglund when he was here … he's a very friendly guy, but he's obviously going through something pretty serious and I hope he is able to get through it.
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146Hunter M.
14758m ago
148Thanks JR for the insight! Just can’t believe he walked away from that money. Is living in buffalo really that bad?
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150Steven J.
1511h ago
152JR, there’s no question that 91 is seen as a legitimate scoring threat on a nightly basis, but with the recent droughts and drop of goal production over previous years, has there been any talk regarding his predictability in the offensive zone. He seems to really favor cutting to the inside of the ice on his forehand. I have to believe other teams have this scouted significantly. What are your thoughts on how to get 91 back on track?
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155Kurt P.
1561h ago
157This is a great question, would love JRs thoughts on this one. That “cut to the middle on his forehand” has become so predictable.
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160Andy C.
1611h ago
162At some point, the losing and the 'not playing for each other' and the poor attitudes of the veterans has to rub the young guys the wrong way, right? Is it better for Sanford/Kyrou/Thomas to spend time in SA to keep them away from the toxic attitude of the veterans?
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166Jeremy Rutherford
1671h ago
168@Andy C. I'm sure it has an impact on them, but hopefully they're strong enough to know right from wrong and try to use it as a learning experience. Thomas can't go to the minors, and now he's played 10 NHL games, meaning the year will count towards his entry-level deal, so he's not going anywhere. I think Sanford at the point in his career where playing in the NHL is best for his development, regardless of the environment. I'd really like to see Kyrou here, too, but he's flourishing in San Antonio, so I think you leave him be for now.
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171Kurt P.
1721h ago
173JR, we are 32 games into the season. I feel like this is a decent place to step back and take a look at Robert Thomas’ overall performance thus far. While he has certainly had some high and lows, has he performed at, above or below our expectations? What area is he excelling at, and what areas of his game are holding him back/could use improvement?
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176Jake W.
1771h ago
178JR, god bless you for covering this mess. You continue putting out content that is worth reading about a team that may not be worth covering many days.
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180Let’s pretend Stillman makes the bold decision to hire YOU as GM of the St Louis Blues (sorry DA). What moves do you immediately make that could realistically turn us into a competitive team each night?
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183Pete S.
1841h ago
185Hey, JR. What's up with Thomas playing on the third line, but getting single digit minutes? He hasn't been great, but neither has 90% of the roster.
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188Jeremy Rutherford
18949m ago
190@Pete S. He's playing third line because Schwartz is back. As far as his ice time, yeah he played 8:38 against Edmonton, but in the three games prior, even with Schwartz back, he played 13, 12, 16 minutes. I like Thomas and think he's got a bright future, but other than a few nice offensive moves, his overall game hasn't been good, especially defensively. If he's getting third-line opportunities, I'll take that every day over him playing fourth-line center.
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193Tom W.
1941h ago
195What sort of return do you think the Blues would be able to get for Schenn if they decided to move him before the deadline? They paid a roster player and 2 firsts (ignoring that the roster player was a cap dump). Do they get at least that in return? Do you think Armstrong balks if he doesn't get a decent return on investment?
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198Jeremy Rutherford
1991h ago
200@Tom W. This is a great question! I was actually thinking about this a couple of days ago. I realize the Blues got one of the first-rounders from the Shattenkirk deal (who you were going to lose anyway), I realize that they got a first-rounder back in the Reaves deal (which they didn't expect), and I realize they dumped Lehtera's salary. But Army has to get back a fairly comparable return, or else giving up the two first-rounders (which Philly used on Frost and Farabee, who look very good) will be a waste.
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202To me, the return is going to depend on whether the Blues are looking for an established player(s) or they're rebuilding and going after picks/prospects. There are comparable forwards in the league who are available, and the Blues would probably prefer a winger because they've got O'Reilly and Thomas coming up. If they go for picks, I don't think they're going to get two first-rounders for Schenn, but that's understandable because they did unload Lehtera's salary. But they should get one first-rounder and a pretty good prospect if they go that route.
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205Brett S.
2061h ago
207Hi JR, love all your work! 
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209Steen, Petro or Terasenko. 
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211Out of those 3 who would most likely get traded first?
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214Jeremy Rutherford
21554m ago
216@Brett S. There's a lot of Tarasenko chatter out there. I'm not saying he will get traded, but I want people to know that it is a realistic possibility. I wouldn't write it my Athletic articles or say those things on the radio if I didn't think so.
217Ranking the three, I would probably say Tarasenko, then Pietrangelo, then Steen because the last two have no-trade clauses. I could see a scenario if Pietrangelo waves his where he could get traded before Tarasenko, but the Blues have more flexibility with Tarasenko and there would be significant interest in him.
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220Randy G.
2211h ago
222Hey JR,
223So far it seems like the further away we move from our old “problematic” core, the worse we do. I know we are relying on the young guns quite a bit and they’re likely to make rookie mistakes and all, but how do you perceive our roster moves over the last few years? Personally I feel like we got rid of too much heart (Backes, Reaves, Oshie, Brodziak...) and haven’t seen much in return yet, even if it was a smart choice. I read your article about Army and it seems like most of what he’s done is good on paper, but then again our team looked amazing on paper going into the season too. Thanks!
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226Joel M.
2271h ago
228Love the work you do JR. What veteran players would you look at to build a better culture? Does it seem like the team is having at least some fun? What are you looking as positives up to this point?
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230Lots of questions, I'm worried the blues will spin there wheels with trades and not focus on what they want in a team and a locker room.
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233Jeremy Rutherford
23432m ago
235@Joel M. I'm glad you asked this because it allows me to stress a point I want to make. I don't think Pietrangelo, Steen, Tarasenko are negative people, selfish, have bad intentions, or anything like that. When I say I would consider trading them, I'm saying that because it's not working. If Pietrangelo played for Montreal and I was familiar with his talent and character, I would say bring him in. But something has to give with this core group, whether it's one or more of those leaders. 
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237I like what O'Reilly and Schenn bring to the table, but I think it's easier to say "Keep them around" because they're new to the party. If they were already here 4-5 years, maybe we'd be saying something different. 
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239As far as the Blues' fun meter, no, I don't think it's pegged right now. I realize they're smiling and congratulating each other after goals and wins, but that's more relief. Kind of hard to have fun when things are going like they have been. 
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241The positives are pretty limited. O'Reilly has been a great add, so it looks like that trade was worth it. The power play got back on track for a little bit. Thomas getting playing time is good. Parayko stepping up lately is positive. The Blues now have an M&M dispenser in the pressbox. Other than that, I don't have much ...
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243Patrick J.
2441h ago
245With Coach Q’s previous GM issues in Chicago in mind, and forgetting about the fiasco that was Iron Mike, what about the likelihood of the Blues ownership enticing Quenneville into taking a head coach/general manager position with the Blues?
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248Jeremy Rutherford
24917m ago
250@Patrick J. I can not see a scenario where that would be on the table. First of all, Armstrong is Stillman's guy. Secondly, that would cost a fortune … paying Chicago to get Quenneville out of his contract, paying Armstrong (3 years left) to go away and keeping in mind that you're already paying Yeo who's not here. Lot of money there, and a lot of dead money.
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252Shayne E.
2531h ago
254It does make sense to move on from Schenn in the sense that they have 4 top 9 centers and the other 3 are signed fairly long term. Do you see any way that changes? Only thing i could see is moving Bozak but I'm not sure that's even an option.
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257Jeremy Rutherford
25820m ago
259@Shayne E. If they moved Bozak, but I can't see another team taking the remainder of that contract. Or if Thomas doesn't live up to expectations, which Blues fans probably don't want to think about.
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261Philip E.
2621h ago
263The whole Berglund situation, what’s your take on that? Anything’s come out on your end?
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265Krista C.
2661h ago
267Was there any consideration of the blues loaning Thomas to the world jrs? I know his play is getting better and better but seems like it could’ve been a good thing for him to go captain team Canada
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269Mike G.
2701h ago
271What exactly determines a face off win? Possession? Sometimes, they seem to win the draw but the other team recovers, or they are trying to drive the puck forward and don't end up getting possession. I don't quite understand the edge cases.
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274Jeremy Rutherford
27512m ago
276@Mike G. I feel like I know the answer to this question -- the team that gain possession -- but to make sure I gave you accurate info I texted an NHL assistant coach. He says that the league defines it differently than a lot of analytic department. The league tend to base it on which way the puck goes initially, where analytic folks judge a win/loss on possession. In other words, O'Reilly might win the puck back behind him, but if Toews skates in and takes control of the puck, then the Blackhawks won the faceoff. Hopefully that helps.
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278Chris B.
2791h ago
280If Berglund somehow shows back up in a Blues uniform I formally give up.
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282Mike G.
2831h ago
284@Chris B. That situation seems so extremely strange to me.
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286Patrick H.
2871h ago
288Trade Tarasenko?... the 30+ goal scorer 70 point guy, scoring threat when he has the puck, who came up through the system, multiple all star, signed for 4 more whole seasons, very reasonable cap hit.. why trade that when they'll immediately say that's the type of player they need?..
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291Jeremy Rutherford
29228m ago
293@Patrick H. I understand that argument and I can really understand it when you keep in mind that he's signed for four more years at $7.5 million. And I can really understand it when you factor in that you'd be selling very low on Tarasenko. But is he part of the solution? He may be, but I get the impression that the Blues don't believe he is. And when you see his offensive production slipping each of the last few years (I realize he's coming off shoulder surgery, but Sundqvist has more even-strength goals than Tarasenko this year), it makes you wonder if it makes sense to deal him before his no-trade kicks in next July. What could you get for him? I think you have to explore it and see if it's worth it.
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295Joel M.
2961h ago
297Let's talk Oskar Sunqvist. I have been impressed with him and the rest of the 4th line. Would you say he has been the most improved and surprising player so far? On the other side of the coin I think Maroon has been my biggest disappointment. I was ready for a good STL kid to come home and make the team better but I just haven't seen it yet. (Still hopeful it works out) What other players have you been surprised by good or bad?
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299Michael L.
3001h ago
301Does trading a core player, anyone of them, improve the team because of the different dynamics that would be in the clubhouse? I'm not suggesting that army should give anyone away, but he should be able to find a good return for one of the core.
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303Craig S.
3041h ago
305JR, Thanks for helping us get through this season. To give us something positive, how about an update on some of the prospects not named Kyrou, Kostin, or Husso? Anything good on Bonk, Perunovich, Foley, Walman, Lafarriere, Stevens, Toropchencko-any sleepers that may have caught leaderships eye like Blais did?
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307S. K.
3081h ago
309JR,
310What was Chad Johnson's situation? Did the Blues wanted to get rid of him or were just trying to move him to SA for more games? The Ducks got him, but if they also place him on wavers (when their goalies get healthy), do you see him coming back to the Blues (like Rattie did a couple of years ago)?
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312S. K.
3131h ago
314Following up on Berglund:
315What was your impression on Berglund's personality over those years when he was here? My impression was that he was too way "individualistic" and Nordic-style independent, kind of selfish...but I didn't have a chance to talk to him in person though.
316Also, you mentioned on the radio that his strange agent NEVER responded to you, not only now, but ALWAYS. So, does he even speak English? :)
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318Tim J.
31956m ago
320Hey JR! 
321
322Haven't really heard anything since camp, but noticed he had yet to play this season. What's the status on Erik Foley? Not even necessarily from a hockey standpoint, but just his personal wellbeing?
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324Drew K.
3251h ago
326Thanks as always for the Q&A. I've been thinking a lot about too many men penalties when I'm watching games (because the Blues keep reminding me) and I've noticed that we'll gain possession in our own end, get through the neutral zone and then give possession away as the Blues go off to do a line change. Do you think this could be contributing to their too many men problems, since the other team now has a pretty open ice and possession, forcing some Blues players to stay on when they were trying to go off if the other team runs with it? Or is this pretty standard NHL line change practice? Or am I making a big deal out of a non-issue?
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328Mike G.
3291h ago
330I finished your most recent book. One thing I was struck by was the sadness hanging in the air (for me) about the unresolved friendship breakup between Bernie and Brian Sutter. Did it ever get resolved or improve? Did the book getting published have any impact?
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333Jeremy Rutherford
33421m ago
335@Mike G. That relationship was probably the most revealing part of the book. They were the best of friends and, as you know by reading the book, that deteriorated when Sutter became the Blues head coach. Bernie has been asked this question a lot lately and he says that they are cordial when they see each other, but it is nothing like it used to be before Sutter took the coaching job. That's unfortunate. I don't know whether Sutter has read or even heard about the book, so I don't know if it's had any impact on him. I talked to Bernie regularly and he's has not said a word about hearing from Sutter.
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337Douglas L.
3381h ago
339Eric Foley is in San Antonio. How close is he on getting back on the ice?
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341Spencer P.
3421h ago
343Hey Jeremy. I did force you to read a huge jumbled mess of words last time, I promise that won’t be the case this time. How likely is it you think this St. Louis team will shed parts it has either recently traded for, core members, or both, in this “firesale”? I don’t know if I want to call it a firesale yet, because no one is gone, but I mean with the way things are headed, is that what you think we’re in for? Given your recent articles, tweets, and all the work and due diligence you’ve done, are Pietrangelo & Tarasenko a couple of guys with their foot out the door already? Would this Blues team move Schenn? Schwartz? Thanks Jeremy for your hard work, I’m really sorry and saddened for you that this is the year you will have to grind through the shit and the muck to get through, I experienced it as a fan of a 48 point team, and the Blues will surely clear 48 points, so keep that in mind. With these questions & semi-encouraging words, I will leave you be! JR, I hope you are at the Vancouver draft, and if you are, I will see you there and pick your brain some more. Thanks again!
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345Michael M.
3461h ago
347This is a joke? A huge jumbled mess of words
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349Justin P.
3501h ago
351During Armstrong's press conference following Yeo's firing, many have brought up his statement about trading "core players". To me, core players are Petro, Vladi, Schwartz, Steen, JBo...but later on in the press conference he seems to distinguish those as "veteran players" who have earned bla blah blah.
352I know so much more has come out since then, but an I missing something?
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354S. K.
3551h ago
356JR,
357now serious question about the "work ethic" (I've even seen that big sign in their locker room, correct?). They have quite many "optional skates", and almost every time I read who attended those I didn't see our C and As there (unless they are recovering from injures). You've been present at those a lot, do you have the same impression that those "leaders" just don't show up there on most occasions (if so, what an example they provide to our younger guys?). Thanks!
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359Josh G.
3601h ago
361Hey JR, can you comment on the decision to play Butler over Schmaltz? If Butler is the better player and we aren't worried about the development of Schmaltz, why don't we just simply move on?
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364Jeremy Rutherford
3655m ago
366@Josh G. I wouldn't be honest if I didn't stick to the same argument that I make with Bouwmeester and Schmaltz. Schmaltz is a future asset and Bouwmeester is not. So from that stance, Schmaltz should be playing ahead of both guys. But it's hard for me to say that about Butler because I think he's played well and I think he is a very good person/player/influence to have on the ice and in the locker room. So Butler doesn't deserve to sit, but I still think the Blues are diminishing their own first-round asset by sitting Schmaltz. It would be one thing if they were third in the Central Division, but they're not.
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368Joel M.
3691h ago
370We play Vancouver tonight and I have no idea what to expect. Have you noticed any changes in the routine to stop being inconsistent and making mental mistakes?
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372Tom W.
3731h ago
374How many hours have you spent on CapFriendly's Armchair GM feature trying to figure out how to start fixing this roster?
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376Anthony G.
3771h ago
378Thanks again for the chat!
379This is a friendly reminder about my question of whose career you would compare Petro’s to after he’s retired.
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381Also, with the freeze coming soon we’ve likely got the same roster for awhile. Would you like to see Berube benching veterans who continually underperform regardless of their contract? I’m annoyed we keep sending kids down or playing Thomas as a third line winger when we aren’t winning, and shouldn’t have this loyalty to the veterans. Let those kids show what they’ve got!
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383Ryan M.
3841h ago
385Thanks for the chat JR. Is there any truth go the rumor that the Hurricanes may be wanting to trade for Tarasenko and would be willing to give us Martin Necas? How much more would it take for the Blues to seriously consider this?
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387John F.
3881h ago
389JR, these players are professionals. How is it possibly they can’t figure out their issues, make good and play well? I just don’t get it.
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391Matthew H.
3921h ago
393Hey JR. Thanks for all the chats! Love the insight. 
394
395I’m sure you have your thoughts on who the problem is in the locker room. And I don’t think you’ll ever see any hockey locker room publicly out someone. That being said is it your belief that management knows who/what the problem is stemming from and do you think they have a concrete plan to fix it?
396
397Philip I.
3981h ago
399I remember last year you saying you had a Berglund piece in the works but it was never published. I guess it was a sensitive situation. Did Berglund really miss the deadline to submit his list of no-trade teams? Could there be future repercussions against the Blues regarding Berglund's contract termination since it originated in St. Louis? Thanks!
400
401John F.
4021h ago
403Hi JR, if Army got us into this mess, how can we expect him to get us out?
404
405Steve S.
4061h ago
407Please explain what happened with Berglund. Why would a player walk away from $12,000,000? Is there some sort of shady cap circumvention in progress there?
408
409
410Jeremy Rutherford
41147m ago
412@Steve S. Neither Berglund nor his agent are talking, so it's hard to know what they're thinking. We don't know if Berglund agreed to the termination, which is typically the case when a player is waved under those conditions. It leaves the impression that Berglund knows what he did is a breach of contract and he won't win a grievance, so he hasn't filed one. There will be more to come on this story, but unfortunately we have more questions than answers right now.
413
414Joseph C.
4151h ago
416With the issues surrounding Patrick Berglund and Jori Leterah, is it safe to say that should give some fans an insiders look to how dysfunctional the players and room have been past and present?
417
418
419Jeremy Rutherford
42044m ago
421@Joseph C. No, I don't think you can connect the dots there. Lehtera's issues are related to a cocaine ring in which others have been charged and he's being investigated to see what role he played. Could he have been part of this and is it possible that he was when playing for the Blues? Sure, but neither that, nor Berglund's problems in Buffalo are part of what's going on in St. Louis.
422
423Richie L.
4241h ago
425Unless the return is massive, moving Pietro would likely be a bad move. That being said: can you see this team being handed over to Ryan O’Reilly at some point this year or next? He seems like a natural captain. Something Pietro has never been.
426
427
428Jeremy Rutherford
42941m ago
430@Richie L. I've written several times that losing Pietrangelo would magnify what he has truly meant to this team. He is a very good player. My take on whether to keep him or trade him focuses on whether the Blues plan on re-signing him after next year, which means you'd be giving $8 million plus for multiple years to a core player who is currently part of the concern. If they would like to change out the core/leadership, if they don't want to commit that much to Pietrangelo moving forward, if they think that Parayko could fill his shoes, which he's shown lately that he might be capable of doing, then I think you entertain the thought of trading him.
431
432Aaron A.
4331h ago
434Hey JR! Happy holidays! At this point with what you have seen and heard about with the Blues younger players does anything change in your eyes with some of these players and their future with the blues. For instance how do you think players like Kyrou, Thomas, Husso, Walman, Fitzpatrick, Kostin and Bokk look and what their future potential now lies. Based off how this season is going the future is the thing to focus on.
435
436Ryan S.
4371h ago
438Hey JR, thanks for all the great content, I know we all appreciate your work. Regarding Petro, there were rumors of him going to Toronto which could make sense. However, any thoughts on Tampa Bay being interested? He could be a solid add to their defense for a run at the cup. Do you think Tampa would be a potential destination? If so, what might we expect in return?
439
440Tyler S.
4411h ago
442JR... There was a report that the Flames scouts were in attendance for the game in Edmonton. Who would you say they were scouting? Do you think that they have an interest for Schenn giving their lack of depth on center?
443
444Patrick H.
4451h ago
446Schenn, I know it's been said he has a high chance to be traded, has high value.. To me I think he should stay put. Hes not the problem and can be part of the solution, still has a whole yr left on deal so they have over a year to decide on him, gave up a couple 1st rounders to get him, Blues have always needed a 2nd line center, Thomas isn't ready for that 2nd line center so why get rid of Schenn, cap hit isn't over paid, hes not even part of this old core we talk about shaking up, can always trade him next year if things dont progress... Makes no sense now
447
448John F.
4491h ago
450Every time a name comes up on the trade block, everyone says “oh no, you can’t possibly move that guy”. The need for big moves is obviously necessary. Some guys will be hard to lose, but they have to get rid of the poison and keep the guys who you can build with. Who are the players you would build around if it were your team? I like O’Reilly, Schenn and Schwartz. Edmundson on D. Everyone else I believe should be fair game.
451
452Clay D.
4531h ago
454Does it appear the idea of the Blues selling is decreasing as they slowly climb in the standings?
455
456Sean G.
4571h ago
458I'm gonna go off trail because reading the doom and gloom of this season has become a bit much. I got Ville Husso's blocker from last season. In your opinion do I leave the puck residue on it and try to get him to sign it someday and just have it be that, or clean it so there is plenty of space and then pretty much get anyone I can to sign it?
459
460Kimberly M.
4611h ago
462Hey JR, why isn’t Schmaltz playing? Hard to trade a guy if we aren’t showcasing him.
463
464Sarah G.
4651h ago
466Hi JR! Merry Christmas to you and your family!
467
468Here are a few:
469
4701. What's the likelihood Berube wins this coaching job for next year? Given that he has not had a chance to coach "his team", and the team has been a mess this year, I feel he hasn't been given a great chance to show what he can do behind the bench.
471
4722. Have you heard anything about Erik Foley? Is he still concussed? I feel bad for the kid because it feels like his NHL career is in jeopardy before it even started.
473
4743. Who on this team do you think is the underdog of the year?
475
4764. Knowing what we know now about the way the season has gone so far, if you could pull a Ghost of Christmas Past and go back to the start of it and change something, what would it be?
477
4785. Let's pull a Ghost of Christmas Present. How can the Blues build on the game against Edmonton two days ago, to give their all in Vancouver?
479
4806. The Ghost of Christmas Future rides in on a magical sleigh and gives you a crystal ball. If you were to look into that crystal ball, and peek in at our prospect pool now, which prospects are you excited see in the NHL that are NOT some of the big names known (i.e. Bokk, Kyrou, Kostin, etc.)?
481
482Thanks, JR!
483
484John F.
4851h ago
486Is Craig Berube the answer for this hockey club for the future?
487
488Chris H.
4891h ago
490Thanks for another chat JR! What are the chances of a guy like Maroon being dealt before the trade deadline? He’s had a tough start to the year and would the Blues have any interest in signing him beyond this season?
491
492Tony B.
4931h ago
494JR thank you for all your contributions regarding information regarding the Blues. Your articles are great! 
495Regarding Tarasenko, do you think the Blues coaching staff and management mishandled his talents? In reference to Ovi the capitals let him play and score 50 goals season after season admittedly letting his defense struggle. But Ovi finally realized what needed to be done to win a championship on his own and enhanced his overall game to arguably the best player in a decade in last years playoffs. Do you think of the Blues would have handled Tarasenko in the same manner rather than trying to get him to play a structured system he would be a better player now?
496
497Clay D.
4981h ago
499Do you anticipate a coaching move before end of season?