Hurricanes sign Tom Kostopoulos to a 3 yr deal worth $2.75 million. An Average of $916,000.First off I will say the St. Louis Blues are well ahead of schedule. When you consider many of the so-called experts (many of whom rarely watch the Blues play) had picked the Blues to finish dead last in the Western Conference a year ago.Last season the organization made some really nice strides which finished with a thrilling late season push en route to a sixth seed in the Stanley Cup playoffs.To get to my point here, the days of using that word “Rebuild” should be officially tossed out the window.Now it’s time for the organization to take the next step and continue building off of what the club accomplished a season ago. I'm far from saying there isn't still work to do and plans for a parade down Market Street should begin.Heading into this season the goal won’t be to sneak into the playoffs but to make some noise once the club reaches the post-season. This has to be the goal, if you're not striving to improve off the previos season then what are you striving for? I think most people in the Blues organization will agree with me here. The time has come to approach things slightly different than the last few seasons.Have the Blues made the necessary roster improvements this off-season to help this team take the next step? Time will certainly tell.I would have liked to see the club add a defenseman (which they still might do) to help an area of concern over the last few seasons. Management has often said the Blues need to improve their ability to push the offense and become a better transition team. In order to accomplish this they need D-men who can effectively pass and make plays with the puck.The team is bringing back Carlo Colaiacovo and Erik Johnson will greatly improve this area, but is it enough?Speaking of Johnson....Fans last week were quickly reminded why he was selected first overall in 2006 ahead of guys like Johnathan Toews and Jordan Staal.Rink Rats!I’m told there is a very good chance Montreal hosts a game this season sometime in November at Olympic Stadium. Word is the Canadians would host the Washington Capitals.The NHL is thinking very hard about eliminating the All-Star Game all together and replacing it with the Outdoor game.Yankee Stadium is all but guaranteed to host the outdoor game in the 2010-2011 season.Is it just me or does Chicago Blackhawks President John McDonough come across the same way Bob Pulford did back when he ran the Hawks into the ground under former Owner Bill Wirtz? There is no question Chicago has made an unbelievable turnaround under Rocky Wirtz but I’m told McDonough’s hands on approach is really getting under the skin of many people who work with the Hawks.Hurricanes RFA Anton Babchuk can certainly provide some offense with his booming shot, but after doing some research I found it very interesting that he was a healthy scratch in 5 of Carolina’s 18 playoff games. In those 13 games Babchuk registered one assist with a -5 plus/minus rating.Look for Janne Pessanen to take his game over to either Russia or Sweden if he doesn’t receive a one way NHL offer. He starred in the AHL last season with the Penguins organization.Goaltender Curtis Sanford has received several two-way offers as well but remains hopeful a one way deal comes his way.Goaltender Manny Legace remains hopeful he will land an NHL job although his chances don’t look too great as we sit today. Chances are if Legace plays in the NHL this season he will have to accept far less money than he has earned over the last few years.Sergei Zubov is mulling over several offers and appears to be in no hurry to make a decision.The Phoenix Coyotes may only be broadcasting half of their games on television this coming season.Blues Clues!Do fans still think Phillip McRae was a charity pick for the Blues because his father serves on the Blues scouting staff? Not only does he have a rocket of a shot, the kid is extremely smart. His ability to find the quiet areas on the ice along with is ability to put the puck in quiet areas is extremely encouraging.Ian Cole is expected to make a decision on his future over the next few days. Cole had a sit down meeting with GM Larry Pleau and Al MacInnis last Thursday.Cole and McInnis have developed a very close relationship over the last few years. To me, MacInnis’s ability to mentor young prospects is just as important as any other role he currently serves in the front office. His career as a player gives him a level of credibility unmatched by any other member of the Blues organization.Throughout the summer MacInnis has been on the ice about three times a week working with several of the Blues top prospects.Alex Pietrangelo is taking advantage of his ability to train this summer, something he was unable to do a year ago because of his bout with Mono.Piertangelo has one more year of World Junior eligibility remaining and will attend Canada’s WJ camp later this summer.Goaltender Jake Allen will also attend the same camp as he has a strong chance to make the Canadian roster.McRae along with former 4th rounder David Warsofsky will attend the USA camp in Lake Placid, New York this August.Warsofsky is staying at Boston University even though he has been rumored to leave BU for the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.The 2010 and 2011 NCAA Ice Breaker Tournament will be held at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis. Michigan, Boston College, and Air Force have already committed to come in 2011. Tournament directors are hopeful Wisconsin, Notre Dame, and New Hampshire accept invitations to come in 2010. There will be four teams playing each year.A youth hockey tournament consisting of 200 teams will take place throughout St. Louis at the same time as the Ice Breaker.Erik Johnson bench pressed close to 270 pounds last week during the Blues prospects camp. Even though EJ is not considered a prospect he did win the Strong Man Competition.In no particular order Brett Sonne, Aaron Palushaj, Alex Pietrangelo, Ian Cole, and Trevor Nill tested out the best in a variety of strength tests the Blues put each camper through.Anybody else see Cole physically eliminate T.J. Oshie in a battle in the corner?Nill may never play in the NHL, but he showed tremendous improvement from where he was a year ago at this time.Andy Muray conducted one-on one meetings with each individual player during the prospect camp.The Blues approached Greg Millen and Ray Ferraro prior to approaching Darren Pang about joining the Blues broadcast team.Blues 2nd round pick Brett Ponich impressed during the camp with his ability to show such strong mobility for such a big guy. I especially liked his intimidating demeanor he displayed once the referees stepped on the ice for the scrimmage.Same goes with James Livingston who displayed his ability to show some edge along with some offense.Aaron Plaushaj caught a flu bug which kept him out of prospects camp the last few days. He still had time to display his high skill level.Erik Johnson wasn’t planning on playing in the game on Saturday anyway but also caught the flu.D-man Ryan Turek may be limited in terms of what he can do, but I for one appreciated the effort he gave last Saturday.Speaking of compete level, you got to acknowledge Mark Cundari who won a Memorial Cup with Windsor last season. He approached the Blues about coming to St. Louis a month early this summer to workout.Kris Berglund is a kid who if anything proved he’s a quality prospect. He has one year remaining on his contract in the Swedish Elite League. The kid is a heady player whose quick feet will give him an opportunity.Speaking of the SEL, how much quicker has Lars Eller gotten? This kid maybe was the most impressive player in camp not named Erik Johnson or T. J. Oshie.I want to give the Blues props for putting on a great camp for the fans. The players really enjoyed it as wellThat’s enough for now, off to the MLB All-Star game.More to come,Andy Strickland