It may be time to say goodbye to an old friend. The Blues have shown signs of resurgence since the All-Star Break, managing to secure at least a point in each of their seven contests in their quest to escape the cellar of the Western Conference. Fans have been impressed and captivated by the play of a team that, while expected to make little noise this season, has managed to at least briefly shake off the effects of numerous injuries and shaky play between the pipes from recently-waved goalie Manny Legace, and is even making aims at a playoff spot. Still, the resolve of both the team and fans will be tested as the rest of the season unfolds. Ten of the next eleven opponents the Blues will face before the March 4th trading deadline will be from the West, meaning the Blues find themselves in a number of "must-win-in-regulation" games, as they not only badly need points for themselves, but must prevent their foes from gaining any either. The task will be daunting, and it should soon become clear whether the Blues' push for the playoffs is in earnest. A good chunk of the credit goes to assistant-captain Keith Tkachuk, who ranks third in goals, assists and points with the Blues, and netted the game-winner in their 4-1 victory over Colorado. Just one of two players (Barret Jackman being the other) remaining from the last Blues squad to actually reach the playoffs, Tkachuk's leadership and playoff experience would prove invaluable should the Blues reach the postseason. But if the Blues find themselves sellers at the deadline, there have been rumors abound that Tkachuk could be dealt to a team looking to bolster its own playoff hopes. Even if the Note's chances of making the playoffs are sound come March, moving Tkachuk at the deadline is the logical move. Tkachuk is actually second among active Blues in another category ?- worst plus/minus rating, with a -10 despite scoring 20 points at even strength. Already having to deal with an injury-ravaged defensive corps and the unexpected call on Chris Mason to prove he can handle the duties as a full-time goaltender, the team might be best served to trade Tkachuk's point-scoring ability for a superior defensive option, in addition to the smorgasbord of draft picks a Tkachuk trade would likely net. Even better, Tkachuk becomes an unrestricted free agent at season's end, and can easily be re-signed for the 2009-10 campaign. The Blues capitalized on similar circumstances two seasons ago, moving Tkachuk to Atlanta at the deadline and received a first-round pick in the 2007 draft, where the Blues acquired talented defensive prospect Ian Cole, center Lars Eller and the enormously talented David Perron. Tkachuk returned to the Blues later that summer with a new, two-year contract on a bolstered roster. For his part Tkachuk received one more crack at winning his first Stanley Cup, and should welcome the chance at another if the Blues make another move with their long-term future in mind. Keeping the long-term future in mind, however, might include the Blues parting ways with Tkachuk for good. Big Walt currently provides a great deal of the veteran leadership on the club by himself due to Legace's departure and lengthy injuries to Paul Kariya, Andy MacDonald and captain Eric Brewer, but all three can pick up the slack for next season. The Blues also their owe success to the two-way play of their young and energetic forwards, as evidenced by the "Kid-Line" of Patrik Berglund, T.J. Oshie and Perron leading the Blues 1-2-3 in plus/minus. These days Tkachuk is perhaps best known for parking his 231-pound frame in front of the net on the power play, and while he provides an imposing force there for the Blues, they may be better served granting his roster spot to less of a defensive liability. This is perhaps a harsh assessment of a man who is in the twilight of a remarkable NHL career. But at 36, only a handful of players in the league are older than Tkachuk, and having already reached the milestones of 500 goals and 1,000 points he has likely secured his place in the Hockey Hall of Fame. The only glory still eluding him is his place on the Stanley Cup, a goal that the Blues might be several years away from realistically achieving. As long as he continues to show scoring ability, Tkachuk will likely return for an 18th season and would strongly prefer to remain with the city he's called home longer than any other in his career. Still, the Blues may elect to replace him permanently, perhaps even for an NHL-ready player they could acquire in a deadline deal ?- hopefully a better return than Glen Metropolit, who proved to be as much of a rental as Tkachuk was for Atlanta -- but Tkachuk's trade value will depend largely on his performance during this crucial stretch run, as will the Blues conference standing. Still, a deadline deal would be a fitting end to Tkachuk's time with the Blues. He first arrived in St. Louis in a 2001 trade deadline splash, leading the Note in their first Western Conference Finals since the "Monday Night Miracle" days. Since then he has been perhaps the most recognizable Blue of all, twice representing the team as an All-Star and consistently dazzling home crowds with clutch goals, prompting the announcement of yet another "goal scored by number 7 ... Keith TKAAAAAAAAACHUK!" And just as he arrived, Tkachuk may leave the Blues for good through a deadline deal, one that just might yield several of the pieces needed for the Blues to finally secure their first Stanley Cup. Only time, and about a dozen remaining games, will tell where Tkachuk's possible new home might be, or if he will return for another year in St. Louis. But should the Blues find themselves in playoff contention, if they really have their eye on Lord Stanley's prize, they will move Tkachuk and allow an old friend to chase it for himself. In which case ... happy trails, Big Walt. Until we meet again.