Dan Rosen of NHL.com answers questions from the fans....

What is your opinion of the San Jose Sharks?

Good, probably better than last season, but not good enough to get into the playoffs this season. I say that because I think the Central Division is loaded and five teams will get in, because the Anaheim Ducks will run away with the Pacific Division, because I don't think the Flames will regress to the point where they miss the playoffs, and because I think the Los Angeles Kings will come back to life after a long and definitely needed offseason to get back in the playoffs. That leaves the Sharks out. All that said, I like their offseason additions of forward Joel Ward and defenseman Paul Martin, but I'm still trying to determine what direction they're going. They seem like a team that wants to get younger but can't figure out how to do it because they're hamstrung by some contracts, so instead they're signing veterans with the hope that they might have one more run in them.

Why should us Blues fans believe this team can win in the playoffs? Is there a reason we should have hope?

I'm not sure you should believe they can win in the playoffs because what proof do you have that they can? It's tough to have belief at this point because three seasons in a row have ended in disappointment and likely earlier than they should have. However, the Blues are a good team with a deep defense, a superstar goal scorer in Vladimir Tarasenko, a quality young goalie in Jake Allen and one of the best hockey minds in the coaching business in Ken Hitchcock. It's easy to see this team succeeding in the regular season again, but the playoffs are all that matters. The hope should come from Tarasenko. He's legit; he could score 50 goals. He could be the difference-maker in St. Louis. He's the reason to believe.

more Q & A...