When I spoke with Blues players about two weeks ago, no one was talking, at least publicly, about playing in Europe yet. Now with the lockout imminent, we will hear more about their plans. I wouldn't say with certaintly that Tarasenko is going back to Europe... still a chance he stays. I'm sure a guy like Berglund would go back and maybe you see a guy like T.J. Oshie go with him. Don't forget that other leagues in Sweden and Russie are setting up guidelines for the numbers of players that can join. Should be interesting to see who goes where.

As far as the proposals, the NHL decided to come off its request to change what comprises hockey-related revenue, or HRR. The league also has decreased the amount it's asking players to give back. However, as Don Fehr has stated many times, the league initially asked players to take a 24 percent cut and is now asking for ONLY 17."

I'm not sure about that one. You should probably ask Blues' play-by-play tough guy Chris Kerber. His twitter handle is @chriskerber.

If there's a lockout, and obviously that's where it's headed, you're going to see some good prospects from around the league. Some who have junior eligibility may go back to junior and return when the lockout is over (depending on the date). Regarding the Blues, you were probably going to see Jaden Schwartz anyway, but he's a guy you'll see for sure and, as I mentioned, perhaps Tarasenko too.

I wouldn't say that's entirely true. The NFL and NBA just came off work stoppages. Having said that, yes it's disturbing that the NHL can't get its act together and avoid this situation. You're always going to have the die-hards, but with hockey, you have fans who enjoy watching the game (especially live) and want to give it a chance. But then they pick up the paper twice in eight years and read about a lockout. Nothing like turning those fans away. To answer your question, the game was at a critical juncture eight years ago and needed some sort of restructuring. The owners got just about everything they wanted and now they're not happy with it. I'm not saying the system doesn't need tinkering, but I've mentioned this in recent weeks ... that rolling back the players' salaries is not going to correct the issues with the labor agreement.

At some point, the Blues will make an announcement on how this would be handled. I don't have the facts and I wouldn't want to guess what they're going to do.

I'll be monitoring the lockout obviously and hopefully the Post-Dispatch will send me out to cover some high school football. If the bosses are reading this (and I know they are) Seckman is right down the road from my house.

For sure... I will have time to go to P-town and learn how to cover a hockey team from my good buddy Dave Eminien from the Peoria Journal-Star.

Good question. Very, very doubtful. Bettman has said numerous times that a lockout would begin if there's no deal by Sept. 15. I don't think there's a chance they would push it until the season opener. The sides are negotiating with a "good faith" backdrop right now.

Yes. If season is canceled, a year comes off everyone's contract.

We don't know the answer to your first question yet. Depending on when the lockout lifts, there could be an abbreviated version of the preseason. Regarding future practices during the lockout, players can rent ice anywhere, including the Mills but can't use the team-owned locker rooms. I think the Blues will skate somewhere else.

I spoke with Hitch earlier this summer and posted a couple of blogs several months ago about his thoughts from last season and ideas for the 2012-13 season. You're really not going to hear much from team officials and coaches right now because of the lockout situation. I'll check in with him at some point, but there's nothing really to say right now.

They need to do what's best for them when they do have the leverage. Secondly, people who don't think owners won't return to signing players to outrageous contracts should think again. If teams are doing those types of deals when the league is negotiating different parameters, they'll certainly do them again when the next offseason begins.

To my knowledge, the only money paid to players would be their signing bonuses. I'm sure Weber had a big one, but I can't remember off the top of my head.

Well, I was planning to write about that in training camp. I'm not sure where he's going to train in the event of a lockout. If he's set up in St. Louis next week, I'll get out and see him.

That's another good question. I, too, have not seen it written or described anywhere. I don't think the NHL's plan on that was made public. I will look for it and see if it's out there.

I realize many of my comments have been in support of the players. That's because I have viewed the developments fairly similar to the way they're viewing them. There is, however, enough blame to go around. But when Gary Bettman makes the comment that you point out, I think that givees the pro-player sentiment some ammunition. It came off as taking the fans for granted.

My take is that the Blues as assembled are poised for good things. I've beat to death the need for another defenseman, so I'll try not to focus on that. I think they could make a playoff run, but I don't think they're Stanley Cup material until the offense proves that it everyone can chip in significantly and they find a partner to play with Pietrangelo ...oops, I said it again.

Every little bit helps. There were some concessions yesterday, but not to the point of getting a deal done. You need days like these to get to the finish line, but everyone would have been better off if these days were taking place in June, not September.