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• King trade: Good for D.J., good for Blues

Gordo writes: New Blues GM Armstrong did a nice job converting current asset into future asset.

• Blues trade King to Washington

The Blues parted with roughneck winger D.J. King on Wednesday, trading the oft-injured forward to the Washington Capitals for minor-league prospect Stefan Della Rovere.

• Fraud claim hits charity effort for draft pick's sister

Benefactor for cancer-stricken sister of Blues' top draft pick is under federal scrutiny.

• Blues trade enforcer D.J. King

He signs two-year extension with Blues, which sets up the trade with the Washington Capitals.

• Pittsburgh will host Winter Classic next January

PITTSBURGH ? Mike Knuble teed up a puck on a wooden platform a few inches above Heinz Field's green grass Tuesday and lofted a perfectly placed wrist shot between the uprights.

• Los Angeles Kings sign left wing Alexei Ponikarovsky

Kings sign Ponikarovsky

• Round Two: How much does E.J. get from Blues?

Our insiders differ on what they think the former No. 1 overall pick might get on his new contract, in terms of dollars and years.

• Blues banking on Perron breakout

The Blues are betting $4.3 million that David Perron will blossom into an impact scorer during the next two seasons.

• Perron signs 2-year deal with Blues

When David Perron broke into the NHL in 2007, he couldn't cash his paychecks from the Blues because he didn't have a Social Security number.

• David Perron's career numbers

Perron's production

• Perron gets 2-year extension from Blues

Restricted free agent will earn $4.3 million from the Blues over the next two seasons.

• NHL rejects Kovalchuk?s deal with NJ

League has determined historic contract circumvents salary cap, source says.

• Gordo: Kovalchuk lands, so NHL gets back to work

At long last, Ilya Kovalchuk signed a free-agent deal with the Devils. His indecision had the NHL in a state of paralysis.

• Blues' production: Payne vs. Murray

The Blues are hoping to build on a trend that saw shots and scoring increase after coach Davis Payne replaced Andy Murray on Jan. 2. The Blues totaled 117 goals in 41 games under Payne and, over an 82

• Blues look for improvement from within

The combination of the Blues' budget and their philosophy of continuing to grow from within kept the club out of the free-agent market.

• Blues give Hensick 1-year deal

The Blues acquired the 24-year-old forward from Colorado on June 17 in exchange for Julian Talbot.

• New Shark Tank ice rink serves Meramec Sharks hockey club in south county

When John Komlos got into the construction business 25 years ago, he never considered being asked to build a professional-size ice hockey rink. His specialities as an engineer are in residential, offi

• Blues re-sign Strachan

Defenseman only appeared in eight games last season but could compete for steady work this year.

• Blues' salary cap figures for 2010-11

With Paul Kariya now departed, the Blues' highest-paid player heading into next season will be forward Andy McDonald.

• Darryl Sydor retires

Defenseman closed out 18-year career by playing for the Blues last season.

• Bob Probert's battles ended too soon

What is a man? Is he the worst he has ever done? If so, Bob Probert will be remembered for a night he dropped his pants at the Canadian border and a packet of cocaine fell out. He'll be remembered for

• Kings again turn down proposal by Kovalchuk

The Los Angeles Kings again have said no to signing free agent Ilya Kovalchuk.

• Differing opinions on Halak's contract

Has Blues new goalie done enough to earn a four-year, $15 million contract?

• Capitals give Jeff Schultz 4-year deal

Defenseman Jeff Schultz has agreed to a four-year, $11 million contract to remain with the Washington Capitals, the team announced Wednesday.

• Miller signs one-year deal to remain with Red Wings

The Detroit Red Wings re-signed forward Drew Miller to a one-year contract Tuesday.

• Blues reach deal with Halak

Goaltender's new contract nets him $15 million over four years.

• Blues sign Jaroslav Halak

Goaltender agrees to a four-year, $15 million contract with club. He had been a restricted free agent who declined salary arbitration.

• Blues re-sign Colaiacovo

Defenseman gets a two-year, $4.25 million extension.

• Bob Probert dies at age 45

Retired hockey enforcer Bob Probert, as adept with his fists as with a stick in a 16-season career with the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks, died Monday after suffering chest pains while boat

• Morning Skate: Blues sign Colaiacovo; Janssen elects arbitration

The Blues have re-signed defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo to a two-year contract extension.

• Kovalchuk still flirting, NHL market still on hold

According to one source, the Blues lead the NHL with $24 million in salary cap space. They still have to lock up some restricted FAs, but they have enviable flexibility.

• St. Louis Blues re-sign Brad Winchester

The Blues re-signed left winger Brad Winchester to a one-year, $700,000 contract extension on Friday.

• Blues re-sign Winchester

Club hopes 29-year-old forward can bounce back from pedestrian numbers last season.

• Gordo: Evaluating the Blues' assets

Blues have stayed out of the free-agent shopping spree. Shoiuld they be happy with what they have?

• Which defensemen are left in free agency?

If free agents Mike Weaver and Carlo Colaiacovo don't find anything better than what the Blues are offering, the team still is interested in bringing them back.

• Blues re-sign Steen, pass on Kovalchuk

Blues didn't sign any unrestricted free agents, but did re-sign Alex Steen and Vladimir Sobotka.

• Chris Mason agrees to deal with Thrashers

Mason, 34, agreed to a two-year, $3.7 million contract with the Atlanta Thrashers on Thursday.

• Kovalchuk not an option for Blues

Goal-scoring threat certainly will find a home in the NHL, but it won't be in St. Louis.

• Chris Mason heading to Atlanta

Former Blues netminder ends up accepting less money to play for Thrashers.

• Gordo: Defensemen are getting paid, goalies aren't

Ottawa hit the early home run in free agency, landing elite offensive defenseman Sergei Gonchar.

• Blues re-sign LW Alex Steen

Free agent gets a four-year extension after scoring career-high 24 goals last season. Blues also signed Vladimir Sobotka to a one-year extension.

• NHL - Completely unrestricted free agents

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

• NHL Group 6 free agents

GROUP 6

• NHL Group 3 free agents

GROUP 3

• NHL Group 2 free agents

NHL's free agency sets up different levels for players depending on whether they've received qualifying offers from their teams and how much NHL experience they have.

• How much free-agent help do Blues need?

Assuming the Blues make no big splashes in free agency, our insiders assess whether staying the course will get them very far next season.

• Top free agent forwards

Consistent goal scoring proved to be a problem for the Blues last season, but can they afford any of the top free-agent forwards? A look at the best:

• Top free agent defensemen, goalies

The best defensemen and goalies on the free-agent market:

• Draft is key to building NHL team

The Edmonton Oilers may not contend for the Stanley Cup next season, but if they do, it may be with a team built around Taylor Hall, 18, taken No. 1 overall last week in NHL's draft.

• Tipsheet: It's Christmas in July for hockey fans

NHL free-agent marketplace opens today, and Blues fans aren't the only ones buzzing in anticipation.

• Blues looking outside for defensive help?

Sending Eric Brewer back to Edmonton for Sheldon Souray is one of the rumors being floated.

• Morning Skate: Blues still pursuing Kovalchuk?

Jeremy Rutherford writes: It shouldn't go unnoticed that the Blues have half their roster unsigned heading into the start of free agency.

• Blues' unrestricted free agents

BLUES' UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

• Stars will move on without Modano

Stars will move on without Modano

• Blues still talking with two defensemen

Mike Weaver and Carlo Colaiacovo have been waiting for months to find out whether they'll be coming back here next season. They'll find out soon.

• As July 1 nears, NHL trade talks intensify

Gordo writes: Free agency is upon us, which is why there is a LOT of chit-chat between GMs.

• Longest-tenured NHL general managers

GM Team Date hired 1. Lou Lamoriello New Jersey Sept. 10, 1987 2. Darcy Regier Buffalo June 11, 1996 3. (tie) Larry Pleau Blues June 9, 1997 3. (tie) George McPhee Washington June 9, 1997

• Pleau bids goodbye after 13 years as GM of Blues

The team's transition from Larry Pleau to incoming general manager Doug Armstrong has been months in the making.

• Experts praise Blues' draft weekend

Experts seem to agree on the Blues: The front office did a good job restocking after the Jaroslav Halak trade.

• Blues' new GM seeks immediate improvement

Incoming general manager Doug Armstrong is not caught up in the hype surrounding some of the team's prospects.

• Gordo: Blues continue their retooling

Team uses all available means to upgrade roster and restructure organizational depth chart.

• Sister's cancer motivates Schwartz

For Jaden Schwartz, being drafted by the Blues was the second-best news that he received on Friday.

• Blues focus on forwards in NHL draft

LOS ANGELES ? The Blues wrapped up the NHL draft by taking four more forwards in Saturday's final rounds at the Staples Center. Including the two players they selected in Friday's first round, the c

• A list of the Blues' later draft picks

BLUES SECOND-DAY PICKS

• Few trades at NHL draft

NHL wraps up draft with few trades

• Blues pick more forwards on draft's second day

Third-round pick is winger Sebastian Wannstrom from the Swedish Junior League. Onle defenseman drafted is Finland's Jani Hakanpaa.

• Gordo: Blues remain aggressive, address team needs

By swapping defenseman David Rundblad to draft scoring winger Vladimir Tarasenko, the Blues made a high-risk, high-reward move.

• Blues take two forwards in first round of NHL draft

They select center Jaden Schwartz at No. 14 overall, make deal to land right winger Vladimir Tarasenko at No. 16.

• Canucks acquire Ballard in trade with Panthers

Canucks get Ballard in deal with Panthers

• Oilers make Hall top pick in NHL draft

LOS ANGELES ? The Edmonton Oilers selected forward Taylor Hall with the No. 1 pick in the NHL draft on Friday, finally ending a yearlong debate about the two best 18-year-old prospects in hockey.

• Blues' first-round picks

BLUES DRAFT PICKS

• NHL draft at a glance

NHL Draft

• Blues make trade to move up in draft

After drafting C Jaden Schwartz No. 14 overall in the NHL draft, the Blues move quickly and trade last year's No. 17 overall pick, defenseman David Rundbland, to Ottawa for the 16th pick in the first

• Round Two: The legacy of Jarmo

As Jarmo Kekalainen gets set to conduct his last draft with the Blues, our insiders assess his work and the players/prospects he brought in.

• Blues select Schwartz, Tarasenko in first round

Center had 33 goals and 50 assists last season for Tri-City of the United States Hockey League.

• MORNING SKATE: No progress on Johnson contract extension

LOS ANGELES - Pat Brisson, the agent for Blues defensemen Erik Johnson, said today that there have been few talks regarding a contract extension for the former No. 1 overall pick.

• Checketts endorses the Halak deal

SALT LAKE CITY -- Before he gave the keynote address to the Associated Press Sports Editors convention, Blues owner Dave Checketts took a few minutes to talk hockey.

• Blues exec leaves team on high note

Blues' director of amateur scouting Jarmo Kekalainen leaves with pride in team's choices.

• NHL draft order

FIRST ROUND

• NHL draft at a glance

When ? Today-Saturday.

• With Eller Gone, Blues Must Add Firepower

Jeff Gordon writes: Doug Armstrong?s summer mandate is pretty obvious: Improve the front lines.

• Blues probably won't keep both brawlers

Cam Janssen and D.J. King know the Blues aren't likely to sign both enforcers.

• NHL draft at a glance

NHL Draft

• Morning Skate: Blues send out 11 qualifying offers

The Blues announced this morning they've qualified 11 of the team's restricted free agents.

• NHL GMs begin reshaping teams

As we predicted earlier on this site, wholesale change will occur this summer in the NHL. The Blues? acquisition of Jaroslav Halak was just an early salvo during a crazy summer of player-swapping fu

• Assessing Blues' forwards

Blues forwards for 2010-11

• NHL draft at a glance

NHL Draft

• Blues have few prospects at forward

Only Philip McRae was drafted higher than the third round. The Team could add some in draft, but John Davidson makes no commitment.

• Blues 2010-11 schedule released

Season opens with Oct. 9 home game against the Eastern Conference champion Philadelphia Flyers.

• What do the Blues have in Halak?

Our "Round Two" insiders discuss whether the Blues can truly know what they got in goalie Jaroslav Halak.

• It's a summer of upheaval in NHL

Jeff Gordon writes: Trade mart is buzzing as entry draft nears. Why is there so much activity?

Flyers will come to town

• NHL draft at a glance

NHL Draft

• A closer look at the Blues' goaltending

A CLOSER LOOK ? GOALTENDING

• Blues to work with goalie prospects despite signing Halak

The Blues' trade last week for goaltender Jaroslav Halak has drastically changed the landscape of the position within the organization. Not only will Halak replace Chris Mason in net this season, but

• NHL draft at a glance

NHL Draft

• Looking at the St. Louis Blues' defense

GETTING DEFENSIVE

• Blues stockpile young defensemen

Of the club's last seven first-round picks, four play on the blue line. "The only thing we're missing back there now is experience," Blues President John Davidson said.

• Strong work ethic drives Jaroslav Halak

Blues new goalie, 25, remembers wanting to be a goalie when he was 3.

• Blues show good timing with trade

Stream of consciousness: