Ok, here we go... thanks for waiting me.

We're expecting to hear more soon on the extent of Russell's injury. For those who are unaware, the Blues defenseman suffered a lower-body injury, believed to be knee-related, while playing overseas in Finland last weekend. He has returned to North America and is being re-evaluated. I was told we'll know more on Friday ... After the cancellation of games today, the lockout situation is looking more gloomy. I think there's a chance of the season starting by Jan. 1, but I wouldn't bet on it.

With Arnott gone, the Blues need another center and Hitch believes Steen can handle it. Many may remember that Steen played center in Toronto. He's great defensively and with his offense growing, he's turned himself into a terrific two-way player. Meanwhile, Steen and McDonald played with each other after they came back from concussions and Hitchcock liked the results. Obviously we know by now what Tarasenko is expected to do, so he seems like a good fit on that line. As always, lines change in a moments notice. I think he just wants to give it a shot and see where it goes.

Sad indeed....On the Peoria TV situation, you may be referring to my recent tweet. I've heard rumblings that Fox Sports Midwest may indeed televise a few Rivermen games with John Kelly and Darren Pang on the call. I've heard nothing officially that it will happen, but I've had no one tell me it's false either.

Berglund is playing for Vasteras (his hometown team) for free, but a sponsor is paying for his insurance. If he's injured, he would be covered.

I'm not a doctor, but I play one on the internet, and my experience with MCL injuries is that they're not overly serious. Again we'll know more soon, but if it's an MCL, he should be able to rehab it and with the league cancelling games, it looks like he'll have plenty of time to get back in shape.

Nowhere to my knowledge. I had heard that Vancouver was a possibility. I think he's living in Dallas these days. Arnott could be one of those guys who's a casuality to a long lockout, like we saw in 2005.

I realize that this is an off-the-wall question, but it really is a serious issue. Everybody realizes that the NHL will resume playing one day and that many fans will come back. We saw it after the last lockout. BUT, it's amazing to me that the NHL will fight for every percentage of total revenue, but meanwhile there is tremendous other damage being done to the league. For example, ESPN televising KHL games. Sure, once the NHL schedule starts and players return, no one will be tuning into the KHL, but why give that league a platform even for a short while. And relating this to your question, markets like St. Louis have tremendous momentum. Now fans will be turning even more attention to the Rams. It really is unbelievable.

Once the CBA expired, the coaches can have no contact with NHL players. They can not even sit in the bleachers and watch the Blues practice informally. They are collecting a salary, but like many team employees, their salaries have been cut significantly.

I would call Oshie. Here you go, here's his number ... 314-....I'm not sure what their plans are, so I can't help you here. Normally this is a situation where I'd say contact the team, but that's not an option. Good luck!

Not much influence. It's between the league and the union. The agents can be very outspoken and informative, like we've seen with Allan Walsh, but at the end of the day it doesn't help get a deal done.

They're not eligible ... Not sure when I'm going to Peoria, but maybe I'll run into you. BOOM POW

Lehtera is still highly regarded within the Blues' organization. With the contracts the Blues have, and with them breaking in Tarasenko and Schwartz, Lehtera wasn't guaranteed to be with the big club this year. The Blues still have his rights and he definitely still has his eye on the NHL. Sure you'd like to see him in Peoria, but you're not going to win that battle with the money Lehtera is making in Russia. With the way he's playing, it's nothing but good news for the Blues on that front..... On Rattie, I haven't talked to anyone about him recently, so I'm not sure. But I will ask around.

The Blues are in a much different situation than they were in 2005. We all remember the mess in St. Louis, with the team being up for sale and the Pronger trade. When you add in the lockout, fans were turned off for a number of reasons. No one knows how long this lockout will last. If it goes several months or all year, it could wreak havoc on St. Louis again. But with the momentum the team had, if somehow it turns out to be a short lockout, I could see the Blues recovering more quickly than the last time around.

Yes, players would lose their salary for THIS year, and you're right, with a lot of contracts being front-loaded, that's a big hit. Remember, some of the players negotiated huge signing bonuses and they did receive those prior to the lockout.

Yes, that will be an option for the NHL, and yes, my guess is that it would certainly have an effect on the play early on. As much as players (and media sometimes) despite training camp, there's really no substitute.

Thanks for dropping off the hoagies at my house.

1) I'm not a lawyer but I play one on the internet. I think that's a good question. I'm not sure it's feasible or if there is anti-trust laws that prevent such action, but it would seem something is possible. Obviously the cities wouldn't want to rock the boat too much because they count on these teams heavily once the puck is dropped, but you do raise a good point.

OK, that'll do it. Thanks for the questions .... chat again next week.