These guys never quit right from Day 1. We had a lot of things that didn't go our way, but these guys never quit. They came to the rink, the coaches kept them focused, and the players kept each other focused.

I don't see that there's any need to do it in February, ... You could do it in June -- what's the difference? Let the NHL get the Stanley Cup out of the way. Why do we want to announce it during the Stanley Cup? It can hold its own at the right time. Even at the draft.

I just think that as a team we got to answer the bell better,

I'm not going to tell you every kid is going to play. We all know some of the young kids are going to take that next step, and it's up to them to use that.

That's as far as I'm going because I think it's unfair to make any kind of statement until Eric has a chance to get another opinion and sit down with all the information and then he can make an educated decision on what he'd like to do.

It's the best developmental league in the world. We have the best of both worlds now, by being able to operate in the AHL, and do it nearby in Peoria.

For a freshman in college to jump in and grab that type of playing time is really good. He started out real well up there, then he slowed down a little bit in the middle of the season, and then he ended up real strong.

It's a decision that we have to make and we'll deal with it at the proper time.

Eric Brewer has been a premier defenseman in the NHL for the past several seasons, and we are very excited about the talents he brings to the Blues. We are also adding two skilled younger defensemen who are clearly up-and-coming players at this level.

Vladimir is the type of player who can excel in many different situations, including at both wing positions. We are excited to add him to our organization, and I anticipate that he will make a strong contribution to the Blues for the next couple of years as a solid forward.