Ten Questions about the 2010-11 St. Louis Blues

Earlier this summer the BlueNoteZone Staff was asked to answer 10 questions regarding the 2010-11 St. Louis Blues. Here are their answers.

Question 10. Which Blues player is most likely to be traded during the season?

Jeff Quirin: Carlo Colaiacovo – The Blues have many talented young defensemen moving up in the developmental system. Colaiacovo is the type of player who can reach a high value due to playing the power play and moving the puck. Roles that both Ian Cole and Alex Pietrangelo could step in to during the 2010-11 season. Sell high on a low cost, short term contract to fill holes in other areas.

Randall Ritchey: Barett Jackman – The Blues are over-stocked on defense. Eric Brewer, as much as I wouldn’t mind seeing him gone, he would be first on my list out of all the Blues players to be dealy. However, Jackman would probably garner more in a deal than Brewer would. Dealing Brewer wouldn’t be worth the lack of return we would likely get. This obviously all depends on where the Blues sit at the trade deadline.

Captain: Eric Brewer

Tyler Atwood: Eric Brewer – Yes, it can be done and I think it finally will be done. I feel Brewer will open the season as a non-liability; after battling injuries the previous two years, he will come into camp in shape and ready to go. He will build his value to the point that some team may take a flier on him to see if he can help their team. The Blues will get something of substance in return. Everyone will end up happy.

Stephanie Phillips: Jackman/Patrik Berglund – As much as my boyfriend (and most of St. Louis) would like to see Brewer traded, I really don’t see that happening. I could see Jackman moved if he continues to be a solid player. I could also see Patrik Berglund as a possibility if he does not improve over last year or Tyson Strachan.

Kelly Quirin: Berglund – I question if Patrik can live up his potential and who the Blues believe he can become.

Question 9. Will David Backes prove that he is to be the next captain?

Jeff Quirin: Yes – Aside from being a huge Backes fan (see my twitter page) he has everything needed to ascend to captain level. He is a combination of all the values of the Blues rebuild. Young, hard working, skilled and intelligent. A true representation of Blues teams to come for the foreseeable future. A total contrast to the picture Eric Brewer paints. Assuing he re-signs in the summer of 2011 and Brewer moves on, the captaincy will prove to be his.

Randall Ritchey: No – I question that Backes will be the next captain. I have two guys I’d rank over Backes for our captaincy spot right now. Jay McClement and Erik Johnson. Those are personal preferences. Not saying Backes wouldn’t make a good captain, but I think J.Mac and EJ would make better, long-term captains.

Tyler Atwood: Yes – Honestly, I think he’s done enough in that regard to prove the point and am bewildered that it has not happened as of yet. In other words, yes.

Stephanie Phillips: Yes – Backes will continue to be a steller player and continue stepping up in leadership roles. I was happy to see him awarded an A this year.

Future Captain David Backes?

Kelly Quirin: Yes – He will shape up to be the next captain. With so much of the emphasis on the Blues continues the youth of the team and the fact that they are no longer rookies and the Blues giving Backes an “A” this season, they seem to be conditioning him to be ready for a “C” when Brewer is no longer in the picture. Since he helps to run a charity group already, he shows that he has a bit more responsibility in his life than some of the other young guys on the team.