Although the Blues are locked out, their prospects are getting ice time. The KHL and AHL are giving some of the Blues' best quality ice time for their development; perhaps when the lockout's over we'll see both Vladimir Tarasenko and Jaden Schwartz crack the Blues' roster.

Tarasenko ranks third overall on TSN's Top 30 Affiliated Prospect list. TSN has looked at each player's potential as well has how well they've played this year, and so far Tarasenko has played extremely well. So far this season with SKA St. Petersburg, Tarasenko has played in 23 games and has racked up 11 goals and 14 assists, along with a +11 overall rating. He participated in last season's KHL All Star Game, and will probably participate in this year's game in Chelyabinsk on January 12th-13th.

Jaden Schwartz has also been playing very well for the Peoria Rivermen. The Rivs are in 12th place in the west and are playing at .500, but Schwartz's outplayed many of his teammates. He's second on the team with 15 points in 35 games, though he does have a terrible -13 overall rating. TSN rated him 29th overall.