Gordo Live: Blues and NHL questions

Lock Buckle It's pretty clear the Blues will have to take a defenseman at no.4 in the draft, since 5 of the top 6 are defensemen...By the timethe Blues pick, Doughty and Bogosian should and will be gone basedupon the projections...So, who's your choice at that pick? AlexPietrangelo (two way defenseman), Luke Schenn (defensive & aleader) or Tyler Myers (Chara type)? Jeff Gordon: Actually, I'm intrigued by the top international skater, NikitaFilatov. He is a high-risk, potentially hight-reward scoringwinger. I'd rather see the Blues go there than a defenseman likeSchenn, who won't have the skills to help their power play over thelong term. * * * scott: When do you think they will sign David Backes to a long termcontract? Any idea of length and type of money? Seems they shouldlock him up for a while..Not too many tough, hard nosed type ofguys who play in front of the net.. Jeff Gordon: Tough guy to figure on a long-term deal, since his goal scoringdidn't materialize this year. * * * Chris: I have mixed feelings about the Blues' Armstrong hire. He is aquality front-office guy, but is this going to ultimately cost theorganization the services of MacInnis or Jarmo? Where do they haveto go now? Jeff Gordon: If Al wanted the full-time, 24/7 hockey job, he could have grabbedit. As for Jarmo, GM jobs are hard to come by. Do other teams seehim as somebody capable of running the whole hockey operation. And,frankly, he has yet to deliver huge draft results here. He is stillbuilding his resume. * * * G Money: Blues draft question. Take most talented player available or draftfor need at the Center/Wing position? What can Berglund do asa rookie import? Is Perron ready for regular top two line work? AreMcDonald and Kariya ready to regain their point-per-game form? Many questions for sure. To me, Perron and Stempniak have the bestchance to upgrade the offense. Both have 25- to 35-goal skill thatcould be realized this season. * * * Tim: What players would you most compare Oshie and Eller to? Jeff Gordon: The Oshie/Roenick comparison might be a stretch, although the kiddoes like to finish his checks. There is some real life to hisgame. Let's see how that translates. Can't speak to Eller, since he is so young. He got hurt lastsummer. But he is a potential No. 2 center, arriving in a couple ofyears. * * * Kyle: I surely don't want to jinx the upcoming Blues season by any meansbut do you feel Murray's job is on in a bit of 'probation status'given last season's midway meltdown and ultimately poor finish? Isay this because several teams have recently decided to part wayswith their coaches (who many have quality resumes) and perhaps thefront office sees someone there who arguably can do a better jobwith the team and may want to grab them before the seasonprogresses too far along before making a change. I see a decisionof this magnitude happening by the 30-game mark, do you agree?Generally speaking what do you see the course of action being formanagement in regards to the coaching issue moving through the2008-09 season-especially if Murray can't motive the club'sprecious prospects to perform so the team can be successful? Jeff Gordon: Is Andy the right guy to guide a young team? So many kids arecoming in. Last year ended so badly. Will those bad trendsresurface? Murray would have to have a short leash after thatfiasco. Has the atmosphere soured.