Blues chat with Jeremy Rutherford
Bring your questions about the Blues and the NHL, and talk to Post-Dispatch hockey writer Jeremy Rutherford in a live chat starting at 1 p.m.

3rd & 7 37yd
3rd & 7 37yd
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Yeo said he wanted to keep things the same for a few games and that has included the same lineup. Yeo told media the other day that every player had a clean slate but that he was only human and of course would have a few feelings on certain players based on his time here so far. We'll see everybody at some point.
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I'm not saying they don't respect Hitch. I'm saying that I believe there was some friction. Stastny was offered $28 million to play here and had never played for Hitch. Tarasenko was a star in the making and offered $60 million and Steen signed knowing that Hitch was in his last year.
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I don't see any sign of a drill sergeant. Based on what I've heard from people in Minnesota and what I've witnessed here, mainly as an assistant, he's closer to a player's coach than a dictator. Certainly we may see a different side of him now that he's in charge. I know he wants to tighten up the reins a little bit more in St. Louis, compared to the way things were in Minnesota. I've heard one of his downfalls there was giving some veteran stars maybe too much rope. I think we're going to see a demanding guy who's got a friendly demeanor.
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If they had proven to be better over the first four months of the season, and were in a better spot in the standings, perhaps Armstrong would think about making an upgrade here or there. But that's simply not the case. It doesn't mean you can't win or surprise people, but you've got to be realistic when deciding what moves to make. Even a homer has to understand that you're hurting your franchise if you're trading future assets for established, rental-type help this year.
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The win was great. The ceremony was fantastic. Yeo seemed to have a solid start. And Allen looked competent in the net again. But the most exciting thing last night was Allen’s new mask. Classy, subtle, and simple. Best goalie mask I've seen in years. What did you think of Allen’s new lid?
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I noticed several changes on the ice versus play under Hitch. First was there defensive scheme along the boards, which was atrocious under Hitch, their defensive setup in their end, and the speed of their puck movement. They still make far to many passes to stationary players on breakouts, which causes turnovers. Thanks for your time.
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Hey JR, thanks for the chat. Great win last night. The think everyone can at least have a positive outlook now. However, what in the world are we going to do with Lehtera and that contract? I mean he should be a 4th liner at best. We've seen other teams like Chicago get out of bad deals (Bickell) how do we get out of his insane contract?
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Thanks for the chat, JR. I'm very happy with last nights win, I feel like the team playing like this all the time. Anyway, I don't know a lot about the coaching staff. Do you think Shaw and Muller left because of Hitchcock coming back? Do you think Shaw was frustrated over that he has been here forever and never truly consisered to be the HC? Also, what roles did they play in coaching and what a re they with the current staff?
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Shaw and Muller left because they were offered only one-year extensions and yes there was friction, too, between them and Hitchcock. In their minds, it was not worth it to them to come back for one year under Hitch. My guess is, yes, Shaw would have taken the Blues' job if offered, but as far as I know that was never under consideration. Shaw coached the D and the PK, and Muller coached the forwards and the PP. Yes, they have the same duties in Columbus and Montreal, respectively.
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This is the NHL, which stands for ... nevermind, I can't think of anything clever. I tried to work "L"ehtera into my response, which was going to be funny, but I'm not funny. But my point was going to be that this is the big leagues and the Blues will do whatever they have to do, regardless of whose feelings it hurts.
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We'll have to see ourselves. I can't imagine that with a new coach we're going to see many games in the near future where the team goes down without a fight. Again, I'll be putting more stock in everything when the honeymoon period ends and Yeo has get on their backs a bit.
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Dunn is having a good season and has played 10 or so more games than Schmaltz this year. Schmaltz missed some time early, so that probably has something to do with it. If the Blues had to call one of those two up today, my guess is that it would be Schmaltz, but again, Dunn is having a good season.
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JR....Been said that many times leaders don't wear a letter, I think I witnessed that last night. Noticed that Ryan Reaves is the guy who "runs" warm up and then I saw a instances during the first tv commercial break in the 1st period. Wasn't sure what was up but Tarasenko was kneeling on the ice away from the bench, Reaves spent the entire time out with him talking to him and seemed to be a calming influence for him. Always thought Reaves was well liked but instances like last night show he is one of those who leads. Your thoughts....
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Sure he's feeling pressure, but as I've said I think he has the support of ownership and I think we'll eventually see a contract extension for him. I could be wrong, but if I had to bet, that would be my bet. I don't think Armstrong's press conference was one where he threw people under the bus. He ripped into the team a bit, and that's what he had to do. A majority of his comments were praising Hitchcock, which to me just showed his respect for the coach. If that meant something more, such as this call came from above him, then I'm missing it.
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How about a question not pertaining to the coaching change.
What do you think are the biggest challenges that come with the 'twitter era' of sports Journalism? I'm sure you must miss when you could really put a full thought together instead of trying to fit something in 140 characters.