With the elimination of Notre Dame and the University of Michigan from the NCAA tournament, fans are curious what this means for two of the Blues highest rated prospects Ian Cole (ND) and Aaron Palushaj (Mich.)
As we sit today it looks like Palushaj will leave Michigan and try to get a deal worked out with the Blues organization. I’ve been told he’s pretty much had one foot out the door in Ann Arbor for several months now.
As I wrote the other day, we should know more soon once the Blues hear from the 2007 2nd rounder. Sources tell me over the weekend that Palushaj is 80% sure he is leaving.
It’s a much different story for Ian Cole who is leaning towards returning to Notre Dame for his Jr. season.
Sources tell me he will give it a full week before fully making his decision.
If the Blues were not in the playoff hunt and there was an opportunity for Cole to Join the Blues today and finish out the remainder of the NHL season in St. Louis that would certainly alter his decision.
Even if Cole were to decide to leave college there is very little chance that he signs an amateur tryout contract to allow him to finish the season with the Blues AHL affiliate in Peoria.
The Blues have done this with other prospects in the past including David Backes and Steve Wagner.
Obviously Cole wants to hear from the Blues what the plan is for him moving forward.
There is certainly a logjam at defense heading into next season with the return of Erik Johnson and Eric Brewer.
The 2010-2011 season may present a stronger opportunity for Cole to walk directly into the NHL with some contracts on defense expiring after next season.
At the end of the day he’s going to have to earn it.
Some sources close to the Blues question whether Cole’s game is NHL ready anyway. He’s built like an ox but the Blues would like to see him learn to use his size and play more aggressive than he has at Notre Dame.
He isn’t forced to play as big against NCAA competition as he will once he turns pro.
If Cole believes he’s ready he should leave Notre Dame. If he doesn’t make the Blues roster next fall there is a league called the AHL that isn’t too shabby.
I’ll have more on the Blues later in a separate blog.
Join me tonight for a live broadcast of Blues Buzz at Johnny Mac’s in Sunset Hills from 6-7. Former Blues forward and longtime NHL veteran Scott Mellanby will join me.
More to come,
Andy Strickland
[email protected] 
St Louis Blues Blogger •1380 ESPN • 
Join the Discussion:
»