Colaiacovo signs with rival Detroit

Veteran defenseman gets two-year, $5-million contract;

Blues' search for d-man on hold with impending lockout

By LOUIE KORAC
ST. LOUIS -- When Carlo Colaiacovo was traded from his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs team to the Blues in 2008, there was an obvious element of the unknown.

But Colaiacovo, 29, would soon settle into his new home and realize that this wouldn't be a bad place to play out the rest of his career.

"Ultimately that was my wish and my hope," Colaiacovo said Friday afternoon.

(Getty Images)

Carlo Colaiacovo, in a game against Detroit last season, will become a

teammate of the Red Wings' Danny Cleary (11) next season.

Unfortunately for Colaiacovo, the business
side took center stage with his career, and on Friday, he was trading in his Bluenote for the Winged Wheel of Detroit when the veteran unrestricted free agent defenseman officially left St. Louis, signing a two-year contract with the Red Wings for $5 million in total.

Colaiacovo, who was traded to St. Louis along with Alex Steen from Toronto in 2008, has spent the greater part of the last four seasons playing for a Blues team that was near the bottom of the league when the Toronto native got here to now being one of the elite teams after last season's 109-point run.

But after a summer of uncertainty and not knowing whether the Blues had interest in bringing him back, Colaiacovo felt the opportunity to join a Central Division rival in Detroit was too good to pass up.

"It's been a long summer in many parts, contract-wise and the uncertainty of hockey, where I'm going to be next year," said Colaiacovo, who will make $2.15 million this season and $2.85 million in 2013-14. "... At the end of the day, I wasn't really stressing out about it, I wasn't really worried about it because at the end of the day, I knew something was going to work out for me. I'm glad it has.

"It's a team in Detroit that's got Stanley Cup aspirations and a team that competes every year and a team full of world-class players that I'm happy to be a part of. It's a great situation for me."

Colaiacovo, who had 19 points in 64 games last season, averaged 19 minutes playing alongside mainly with rising defenseman and close friend Alex Pietrangelo. He was one of the top remaining free agents available in this 2012 UFA class, and the main reason was he was holding out hope that something in the end could be worked out with the Blues.

"It's been sort of a torn summer, too, because I think deep down inside, my heart was in St. Louis in the fact that I was there for four years through tough times and through great times," Colaiacovo said. "To be part of something great moving forward and to develop friendships and relationships with the people there, you would hope that it would be something you can continue moving forward and be a part of.

"I had a great time in St. Louis. I have nothing bad to say about it. I wish things could have still worked out there, but it's a business, it's a game. People move on, there's changes every year and unfortunately, it was a decision for myself too to move on. I have a lot of great friends and people I'm leaving behind there, but they'll be people I hopefully can still keep in touch with. ... You never know. One day, the opportunity might present itself again (in St. Louis). But right now, my mindset has moved on and the excitement to join the Red Wings is overwhelming right now."

Colaiacovo didn't mention specific teams that became interested in his services, but after talking with his family and fiancee and having a great familiarity of playing against Detroit six times a year, it was a pretty easy choice.

"Being in St. Louis and playing against Detroit, every time we played them, it was like playing an all-star team," Colaiacovo said. "They're a team full of world-class talent. Hopefully joining a team like that will present the opportunity for myself to be a part of that elite group.

"... Detroit was a team that we both targeted as a team if we were to move on. It was a team and a situation that we both wanted to pursue. Obviously St. Louis was a team we were both in favor of and were hoping something could still be worked out, but it didn't seem like the feeling was there. They were a team that looked like they pretty much had their roster set."

Colaiacovo said it will be weird looking down and seeing the Winged Wheel instead of the Bluenote on his chest. He feels like the Blues will be in good hands moving forward.

"Doug Armstrong was a guy I respect a lot, has done a lot for me in my career, really helped me out with a lot of things," Colaiacovo said of the Blues' general manager. "The coaching staff there, Ken Hitchcock and Brad Shaw are two of the great coaches I've had in my career.

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Carlo Colaiacovo (left) and Detroit's Johan Franzen (middle) will be

teammates for the Red Wings next season.

"I think they've got a good thing going for them. We're going to be enemies now. But i think the transition will be easy because I'm coming to sort of a similar situation where the coaching staff is here, a team that has aspirations of winning, a team full of talent. It really makes the transition easy."

The Wings were looking for a veteran to replace some of what they will be missing from Nicklas Lidstrom, who retired after last season. But Colaiacovo is by no means comparing himself with the future Hall of Famer.

"I know losing a guy like Lidstrom on defense is a top hole to fill and by no means and I'm going to come in there and be a Nick Lidstrom because Nick Lidstrom is an irreplaceable player," Colaiacovo said. "He's a future Hall of Famer, he's one of the best defensemen to ever play the game. But I think going in there, I can be a good compliment to what they have right now."

Meanwhile for the Blues, the search for a top-tiered left-handed defenseman continues.

Earlier in the summer, Armstrong talked about the Blues having a desire to obtain through trade of free agency a top-four defenseman; one to potentially compliment Pietrangelo.

But with the NHL on the verge of a lockout (set to begin at 11 p.m. Saturday night St. Louis time), talk of acquiring a d-man is on hold and when the Blues do finally return to the ice, there will still be that hole for Armstrong to fill.

"I think we had talked about trying to improve the left side of our defense if possible," Armstrong said last week. "There hasn't been a lot of player movement, quite honestly, since I made the statement I wish I didn't make five months ago. I sort of put ourselves on the clock there. But we believe in the six guys that are here, Ian Cole being one of the six. Bringing in (Taylor) Chorney and (Jeff) Woywitka gives us some depth there."

The Blues did add Chorney and Woywitka over the summer but as Armstrong said, they were brought in for depth purposes. The Blues have Barret Jackman, Kris Russell and Cole on the left side. Cole, a first round pick in 2007, will have his best shot at making the big club out of camp after the Blues had made a pitch for free agent Matt Carle and were mentioned in trade talks for Calgary's Jay Bouwmeester and Phoenix's Keith Yandle.

The price tag on Carle, who signed in Tampa Bay for six years, $33 million, was too high and the asking prices for Bouwmeester and Yandle apparently involves NHL-ready talent. In both teams' cases, that would likely include forwards in the Blues' top core.

Armstrong would prefer to deal draft picks and/or prospects.

"I think that the (new CBA) system will tell us what players will be available, and we're going to wait and react to the systemwhatever it may be," Armstrong said. "If there's player movement because the system changes, then there will be player movement. If not, we have a stock pile of draft picks moving forward (and) we have a stockpile of what we think are good prospects, and we're entering that level now where we believe is our time to take it to the next level. And at some time you have to sacrifice a little bit of the future for today and I think as an organization, that's the area that we'll go to.

"Instead of moving an apple for an orange, taking an NHL player for an NHL player, we might look at getting into future draft picks to try and improve this year's team."

'Vova' introduced to St. Louis

Tarasenko makes first comments, proclaims he is

"happy to help (the Blues) win Stanley Cup this year"

By LOUIE KORAC
HAZELWOOD, Mo. -- As Vladimir Tarasenko walked into a crowded room at his introductory press conference, the 20-year-old was starry-eyed and in awe.

The Blues' 2010 first round pick will need some getting used to press conferences and the lifestyle of being a NHL player and living in North America, but the first steps have been taken. Getting the 20-year-old Tarasenko here and becoming acclimated with his new teammates are the first steps, ones he was finally willing to take after leaving more money to play in the NHL.

Tarasenko, who was the 16th pick in 2010 and two spots after teammate Jaden Schwartz, totalled 100 points in 176 career games in the KHL spanning four seasons. The last two were spent playing with Sibir (Novosibirsk) and SKA (St. Petersburg).

(Photo by Mark Buckner/St. Louis Blues)

Blues GM Doug Armstrong (left) and Vladimir Tarasenko hold up the

new jersey for Tarasenko at his introductory press conference Thursday.

But after playing a game of tug-o-war with St. Petersburg officials and negotiating with Blues general manager Doug Armstrong, Tarasenko felt like the time was right to jump across the Atlantic Ocean and play in what he called the best league in the world despite the very strong possibility that the NHL will see another lockout when the current collecitve bargaining agreement is set to expire Sept. 15.

"I am very excited to be here in St. Louis to be playing for the St. Louis Blues," Tarasenko said through a translator, Irina Sandler of the law firm Armstrong Teasdale. "I am happy to help the team win the Stanley Cup this year.

"I have received very good experience in the last two years in the KHL, and I believe this is the right time for me. I am ready to play in the best league in the world."

The Blues, who finished with 109 points at 49-22-11 and reached the second of the Stanley Cup playoffs a season ago, see Tarasenko -- nicknamed 'Vova' or 'Vladi' -- penciled in among their top nine forwards. Armstrong also believes the time is right to make the transition.

"We believe and Vladi believes that he's accomplished all the things necessary to become a player in the NHL," Armstrong said. "I know in talking to him over the last couple years, spending time with he and his (North American) agent (Mike Liut). Everyone felt that the time was right for him to come over. We're very excited to have him here.

"We think he has the chance to be a good player on a very good team. He's not someone that we expect to come in here and re-invent the wheel. We're not there now. Because of the great work that the players have done last year winning the division, getting 109 points ... we're just looking for another compliment player [to come] in here to play. There's no pressure on Vladi to be something that he can't be. We're going to allow him to develop at his own time and come along at his own pace. When we signed him, we believed that he was NHL-ready. As I said to him before, now it's up to him to prove that. There's going to be great competition for ice time on this roster, and Vladi's excited -- through out conversations -- to fight for that ice."


(Photo by Mark Buckner/St. Louis Blues)

Vladimir Tarasenko listens to questions at his

introductory press conference Thursday.

Tarasenko, who signed a three-year entry-level contract that will pay him a base salary of $900,000 a season plus incentives, is a left-handed shot who prefers to play on his off-wing. He arrived in St. Louis Friday and has been on the ice with fellow Blues teammates skating during informal workouts and claims that, "I can score. I get excited about scoring, but my main ambition is to help the team ... whatever it is that I do.

"I am playing for the best league in the world and I have seen my current team members on TV and have never played with them," said Tarasenko, who followed Blues players through news reports and video clips on the internet. "Now I have an opportunity to play with them and learn from them.

"My ambition is to do the best I can to help the team and also to prove to myself that I am capable of playing with the best players in the world. ... I am thrilled to be here."

Tarasenko may be here now, but there is the possibility that he could return to Russia should there be no hockey in the NHL. There's the option of playing with the Blues' AHL affiliate in Peoria, but the difference in salary will be too great to pass on.

"We're going to talk about that," Armstrong said. "There's advantages in both really. There's the advantage of staying in North America. A) playing with some of the players that he might play with if we don't start on time ... some of those players might be down in Peoria. Getting to understand the North American culture off the ice. Also playing on the smaller ice. But then going home, he's developed over there, he's become a very good player over there. I think it's going to be a win-win [situation], and whatever we jointly decide is best for him is the area we'll go. With that being said, Vladi and I both talked, we're hoping the NHL and the NHLPA get something settled by Sept. 15 and this is a non-issue."

McDonald looking forward to healthy season

Veteran winger feeling "25 again;" feels healthier than he was last season

By LOUIE KORAC
HAZELWOOD, Mo. -- Andy McDonald is a voice of reason.

The Blues' winger understands that an athlete's biological clock doesn't last forever and Father Time catches up with everyone.

For McDonald, who turned 35 on Aug. 25, it's only natural to have those after-hockey thoughts and think about how much more time's left in the tank, especially with the lifespan of a hockey player.


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A healthy Andy McDonald gives the Blues a

much-needed offensive weapon.

But as McDonald enters his 12th season in the NHL -- his fourth full season in St. Louis -- he feels like Father Time will have to take a backseat and wait a while longer before the Strathroy, Ontario native checks out of his skates.

If McDonald's as refreshed and energized as he was while the Blues were skating informally at their practice facility, there are quite a few more miles remaining in those speedy skates.

"Physically I feel 25 again and I'm really looking forward to this year," McDonald said. "... I'm really looking forward to it. I feel better this year than I did last year. I think you play so many years with injuries and things going on, you don't realize what good health is. I feel great. I had a really good off-season. I'm healthy."

McDonald, who has 468 points in 648 career games, was also healthy going into last season, one in which the Blues had one of their best seasons in franchise history going 49-22-11. However, McDonald's season was unexpectedly derailed when he suffered yet another concussion the third game of the season in Dallas. That was on Oct. 13. He wouldn't see NHL action again until Feb. 12, missing 51 games.

It was the sixth concussion of McDonald's career, and at one point during the recovery process, he admitted there were times where he didn't know if he would ever play again. With a wife and two young kids to think about, the long-term future was definitely in play.

But McDonald went through the treatments, the rest and took the proper channels of concussion protocol, vowing to return. He played an abbreviated 25-game schedule last season and finished with 22 points as the Blues finished tied with the second-most points in the NHL with 109. McDonald would go on and tear it up for the Blues in their opening round playoff series win against San Jose with four goals and four assists in five games before the Blues were derailed by the eventual Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings.

But the return to action was a different feel for McDonald, considering it wasn't the customary off-season program that builds a player up for the ruggedness of an 82-game season.

"Physically, I probably wasn't where I wanted to be because you really take advantage to having the off-season to get your strength," McDonald said. "When you go through a concussion, there's a good portion of the time where you're not doing anything, you're not training. To come back in and try to play and not kind of have that summer to train and get ready made it a little bit tougher. But I was probably just a little bit lighter and probably strength-wise, I could have been a little bit stronger.

"I was so happy to be back playing and I was pretty happy about my health at that point. I feel like I'm in better shape this time around. I will have my conditioning back, I will have my strength back. I'm a lot better off now."

(Getty Images)

When Andy McDonald was in the Blues' lineup in 2011-12,

he was nearly a point-per-game player. But a sixth career

concussion forced the veteran to miss 51 games.

McDonald, who is experimenting with wearing a new helmet, one that will help protect from the vulnerabilities of a concussion, is projected to be playing the upcoming season on a line with Alex Steen and 2010 first round pick Vladimir Tarasenko. It has the potential to be one of the more lethal third lines in the league.

And for McDonald, who's entering the final year of a four-year, $18.8 million contract and can become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2013, he's eager and anxious to play a full 82-game season. That's only happened twice. Plus, McDonald would love to prolong his NHL career here, perhaps finish it in St. Louis.

"I feel better now mentally than I did last year," McDonald said. "I had some lingering things from years with concussions.

"I don't think I realized what 100 percent was until last season being able to come back and get the treatments and go through all that and to get to a point where I really felt confident that I was 100 percent. That's why I'm so upbeat about this season. I've had a great summer and I'm really looking forward to playing a full year with this kind of health."

Tarasenko a hit with teammates, fans

2010 first round pick hits ice for first time

wearing a Bluenote; large crowd at Ice Zone to see it

By LOUIE KORAC
HAZELWOOD, Mo. -- When Vladimir Tarasenko hit the ice for the first time as a member of the Blues, the applause from the large summer crowd at St. Louis Mills was probably something the 20-year-old wasn't expecting.

But getting to see the Blues' 2010 first-round draft pick (16th overall; Jaden Schwartz was picked 14th also in 2010) live for the first time in person was too good to pass up.

"Half the jerseys, you didn't know what they said. They were all in Russian," joked Blues defenseman Ian Cole of the various Russian Tarasenko jerseys. "That's a good sign that they're here. ... They're really kind of sending a jolt of excitement, a little electric shock through the fan base.

"I think it's pretty cool, especially with this lockout that may or may not happen."



(Photo by Scott Neer/TSN-Photography)

Blues' 2010 first round pick Vladimir Tarasenko

took the ice Tuesday morning for the first time.

Even the teammates he will be playing with this season -- if there is a season -- were impressed as Tarasenko -- all 6-foot, 215-pounds of him -- took part in drills and conditioning as the Blues continue to work out with their informal skates preparing for what they hope is a 2012-13 season. Tarasenko totaled 100 points in 176 KHL games spanning four seasons.

"It's exciting to have (Tarasenko) here," said veteran forward Andy McDonald. "... Obviously he's got a big impact. He looked good out there. He's getting his feet wet and I think it's a big transition for him. For us, we just want to make it as easy as possible."

Tarasenko, who bolted Russia, the KHL and a more lucrative present-day contract for a dream of playing in the NHL and with the Blues, arrived in town Friday and is getting acclimated with North American life after signing a three-year entry-level deal in July. It's going to be up to his teammates to help him with the transition of living life in the U.S. initially; something they're ready to help him do.

"The most important thing is to make him feel comfortable off the ice, and especially on the ice," said center Patrik Berglund, who was in Tarasenko's shoes not too long ago when the Blues picked him 25th overall in 2006. "He's new. I know how it was. If you need help, I hope and he hopes that he asks for help so that we can help him. He looked really happy when he walked in. He didn't look shy or anything. He looks good."

Added veteran winger Jamie Langenbrunner, who's the oldest player on the Blues along with Scott Nichol at 37: "You want him to feel comfortable. I think we have a group of guys to do that. It's a good locker room when it comes to that. It's a good group of guys. It's very welcoming, not clicky at all so to speak. Those things take time. He's got to learn what we're all about and we've got to learn what he's all about. What buttons you can push, what buttons you can't.

"I think he looks like a guy that just wants to fit in and be a part of the group. If he comes with that attitude, he's going to be a great addition to this room."

 

Not only to the room, but according to Cole, on the ice as well.

"I think it can be huge, a guy that can put up 40-50 points maybe," Cole said of Tarasenko's potential initially for point production. "He's got that kind of skill-set. Having a guy on the ice like that, what's the downfall of that?

"I obviously don't know about him defensively or his two-way game. You can't really comment on that, but as far as his pure skill-set goes, you see him in the World Championships and you see him in the World Juniors, it's unbelievable. It's exciting to have that kind of skill level joining the rest of the guys with our top-end skill. It's going to be awesome."


(Photo by Scott Neer/TSN Photography)

Vladimir Tarasenko arrived in St. Louis on Friday and took part in his first

practice with the Blues Tuesday morning.

Tarasenko, who could go back to the KHL if there is a lockout rather than play for minimal dollars in Peoria, is projected to slot into the Blues' third line along with McDonald and Alex Steen.

So far, he's displayed a wicked wrister, he's a pinpoint passer and displays good speed.

"He's (got) good size. He's pretty stocky," McDonald said of Tarasenko. "Obviously that's a big factor in the NHL. You've got to be strong on your skates. But you've also got to be fast. He's fast, he's big. He's probably the complete package."

For Blues veterans, lockout not a good feeling

Jackman: missing 2004-05 season was "devastating"



By LOUIE KORAC
HAZELWOOD, Mo. -- As much as the percentages seem to be against the upcoming NHL season starting on time, there are a few simple reasons why the players' union continues to preach positive thoughts rather than think lockout.

Call it cautious optimism. Particularly from those that have been around the game and know the helpless and empty feeling of what the 2004-05 lockout, which resulted in an entire season that was wiped out which resulted in the league needed an imaging overhaul with its product and its fan base.

"I was absolutely devastated the last time it happened," Blues defenseman Barret Jackman said referring to the last lockout. "I played my first year (in 2002-03) and then I was hurt all my second year and then what was supposed to be my third year, we were locked out.

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Barret Jackman was "devastated" the last time there was

an NHL lockout eight years ago.

"Back then it was a little different scenario. There were a lot of teams that were hurting. Unfortunately, it took too long to make significant cuts to the payroll. The league has grown since then and it's a thriving business. We realize there are some teams that at the bottom are kind of struggling, teams like Phoenix and a couple teams in Florida. ... It's tough to sit by and watch hockey take the beating it is but hopefully this isn't a long-term thing and we'll get going."

NHLPA and most of its members fully understood they could lose an entire year and players quickly made arrangements to play overseas in Europe back then.

The players are more equipped and fully prepared for a worst-case scenario this time around, but there's a growing sentiment still floating around that something will in fact get done, even as late as the final hour when the current collective bargaining agreement is set to expire on Sept. 15.

"I find it as a different feel, the last (lockout) to this one," veteran center Scott Nichol said. "I think both sides are really adament to get things going, get it resolved and quicker.

"The last lockout ... looking back now, guys were taking off for Europe relatively early. Not here and now. Guys are really unified and hunkered in to start the season and everyone's status quo and coming into their respective cities and getting things going."

The two sides, albeit getting a late start in negotiations, are talking and trying to hammer out a dialogue and finding common ground. But eight years ago, those negotiations -- or lack thereof -- were a road that led to an entire season being wiped out before common sense prevailed.

"I just remember the meetings throughout the summer were very negative and guys were just asking the very worst case scenarios," Jackman said. "Now with all the meetings that are going on, it seems like guys are asking the right questions.

"We're very optimistic. We're going to go in, everybody's going to plan on starting the season. We have a great group of people that are heading the union. A lot of guys involved, a lot more than we had the last time. We're educated and we know what's at stake."

Jamie Langenbrunner, a veteran entering his 18th NHL season and second with the Blues, said the sooner an agreement gets done, the better it is for everyone involved. Then the players can map out a plan of training and when to expect to play games.

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Jamie Langenbrunner feels like the players are caught

in the middle when it comes to a lockout.

"I think the longer it goes, the harder it is mentally to (train)," Langenbrunner said. "You plan your summers to get yourself ready for September and you can't train forever. I think for everybody it's a little bit different and know what you need to do to get ready. I think whenever there is uncertainty it does make that difficult. But having a group around town will help. We'll help push each other and pick each other up. As of now, we're preparing for Sept. 21."

It doesn't dispel the thoughts that Langenbrunner feels he and fellow players are the ones caught in the middle of a tug-o-war between the owners.

"I think all of us have to look at the big picture. We feel as players, this isn't even a player-owner problem. This is an owner-owner problem," Langenbrunner said. "We kind of get dragged into the middle of it, along with the fans. We play under the rules of their deal, how they interpreted those rules and how they decided to play with them was their call. But this is nothing that we designed, we're just a part of it."

The players are a big part of it, and as long as the two sides can come to a resolution, it will make things better for all parties, the game in general, and most importantly, the fans that support it.

"For me personally, I find that both sides, they would want it," Nichol said. "They'll get something done sooner than later, I would think.

"We love our union and the way (NHLPA executive director) Donald (Fehr's) been handling things. It'll all work out. There's too much to lose. I'm just a hockey player and want to play. Maybe I am optimistic."

Optimistic and from a fan's standpoint -- hopeful.

Blues looking at bigger, brighter picture as camp looms

Players that have trickled in for voluntary skates focused on

building off one of franchise's best seasons, not looming lockout

By LOUIE KORAC
HAZELWOOD, Mo. -- For obvious reasons, Blues players are in unison with their fellow NHL brethren as to why they don't believe a lockout will happen if a new collective bargaining agreement isn't reached by Sept. 15.

And after a 109-point season that brought hockey back to league respectability and revived the game in St. Louis once again, it's understandable why players are looking at nothing but a successful resolution and that hockey will go off as scheduled this season with a new CBA in hand.

"We're just going day-to-day, getting our workouts in and preparing for the season," said veteran center Scott Nichol, one of eight skaters on the ice Tuesday at St. Louis Mills' Ice Zone who's fully aware of the daily ongoings between the NHL and NHLPA. "We're all really excited. All the guys are back in, we've got a great group and just chomping at the bit to get back going.

"You want to keep the momentum and I think everyone's like that. Once training camp starts, there's 30 teams that think they're going to win the Stanley Cup and we're one of them. We have a good chance. It's going to be hard work this year. We're not sneaking up on anybody. Everyone knows we have a good team. The style that we play is a real in-your-face, hard game. It'll be a good challenge for us. We'll be like the Detroit Red Wings where everyone's going to play their 'A' game against you and it's going to make our team even grow that much more."

Nichol, who resigned for one year this summer, along with Barret Jackman and Jamie Langenbrunner, have a combined 39 years' worth of NHL experience. But all three were on the ice Tuesday getting workouts in along with Peoria-bound goalie Mike McKenna, 2009 draft pick Sergei Andronov, Ottawa goalie and St. Louis home grown talent Ben Bishop, Philip McRae and a pair of others. Andy McDonald has also made his way in but did not participate Tuesday. Alex Pietrangelo, Ian Cole and Jaden Schwartz were in town recently and will return soon.

Instead of thinking about what might not be, they are choosing to remain on the positive side and not have a repeat of 2004-05, which was wiped out completely due to an owner's lockout. And it's the veterans that are setting the example of getting in early that signifies the Blues' willingness to build off last season.

"It shows the young guys and everybody we're all on the same page," Nichol said. "It doesn't matter how old or how young you are. We want to win.
"We're here to win and that's what we get paid for. We had an exciting season last year. We're not going to totally duplicate it, good or bad. We want to be better. Every day you want to get better and we did last year and I don't see why we can't this year."

But being the end of August, the Blues would have most, if not all of their camp players in town by now. With the uncertainty of what may or may not happen, some guys have delayed getting into town just yet. The element of the unknown has everyone on edge these days.

"It's tough some days but you've got to look at it like it's going to start September 21st, the first day of training camp," said Jackman, who signed a three-year, $9 million extension instead of opting for unrestricted free agency. "You've got to just ramp yourself up to that date. Things could change from now to then and you could have a new target date and you try and adjust your training accordingly.

"It's tough to figure out some drills to do with six skaters and two goalies ... it's tough. You come into St. Louis, you never know ... getting apartments or what the future holds. Guys are going to stay in their hometowns and skate with other guys that they have there. Mostly guys that have kids are in town or make their home base out of St. Louis are the ones here. They'll start trickling in here probably in the next couple weeks."

The NHL and NHLPA seem to have a wide gap over the core issues that are threatening the existence -- or part of -- the 2012-13 season. But players have to continue to go about their business as if things will work out accordingly.

"Yeah, I guess it throws a little uncertainty into it, where normally this time you'd have that target date of Sept. 21 and camp opening and gearing up for that," Langenbrunner said. "I think for the most part, for right now, that's the mindset we have to go with. But obviously the uncertainty of it makes some days a little bit tougher. But it's the end of August and we've been going here for a good couple of weeks. More and more guys are going to start coming in now and then we'll prepare and be ready until they tell us not to be."

* NOTES -- Blues general manager Doug Armstrong confirmed on Tuesday that Alex Pietrangelo is to have a minor procedure performed on a lower-body issue.

Armstrong would not divulge any specifics on the injury but Pietrangelo did suffer a sprained knee in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Los Angeles Kings when he was shoved awkwardly into the boards from behind by the Kings' Dwight King. It forced Pietrangelo to miss Game 2 before he returned to play in Games 3 and 4, a series the Kings won in a four-game sweep.

Pietrangelo, 22, who played in 81 games last season and posted career-highs in goals (12), assists (39) and points (51), indicated at the team's exit meetings after being eliminated by the Kings and again last month when he came in for a voluntary skate with prospects that there was no need for any surgical procedure on the knee, so it is believed to be in another area.

Pietrangelo, who finished fourth in the Norris Trophy voting this past season, is not expected to miss any time once training camp opens. Barring a lockout, camp is slated to open for the Blues and the rest of the NHL on Sept. 21st.

... The Blues also signed Sergei Andronov, the team's third round pick (78th overall) in 2009, to a one-year, AHL-only contract on Tuesday.

Andronov, 23, has spent the last three seasons playing in the KHL at CSKA Moscow. The 6-foot, 183-pound winger had 11 goals and 18 points in 101 games.

It was a bit of a surprise to the Blues, but last month, reports surfaced of Andronov's desire to play in North America saw Armstrong go to Russia to meet with him. The Moscow native was on the ice Tuesday and will play with Peoria this season and likely be used in a checking style role.

Blues make changes to hockey operations

Taylor, DiMaio gain promotions; MacInnis assumes role of advisor to GM

By LOUIE KORAC
ST. LOUIS -- With training camp approximately six weeks away, Blues general manager Doug Armstrong announced some changes to their hockey operations staff before heading into the 2012-13 season.

The following will have different titles for the upcoming season: Dave Taylor, who previously held the title of the director of player personnel; Al MacInnis, who held the position of vice president of hockey operations and Rob DiMaio, who served as a pro scout.

Taylor steps into the role MacInnis previously held. He joined the Blues in 2010 after serving the same role with the Dallas Stars from 2007-10 and as general manager of the Los Angeles Kings from 1997-2006.

MacInnis, who served as vice president of hockey operations since 2006, will become a senior advisor to Armstrong, a role Larry Pleau held after being the team's GM for 13 years beginning in 1997. before joining the front office, MacInnis concluded a Hall of Fame career of 23 seasons, including the last 10 spent in St. Louis where he compiled 452 points (127 goals, 325 assists) in 613 games played for the Blues. He won the Norris Trophy in 1999.

DiMaio, who played 17 seasons in the NHL, joined the Blues in 2008. He will assume the role held by Kevin McDonald, the team's assistant general manager and GM of the Peoria Rivermen.