I won't lie, the announcement of the Blues choosing Ian Cole as the player they need to send to the Peoria Rivermen to clear out space for Wade Redden surprised me. Not that I expected Redden to be a permanent 7th-defenseman, but I did expect him to occasionally inhabit that role. I also expected Jeff Woywitka to be the one assigned to Peoria, but this is why I don't make the big decisions. Or any decision at all.

Cole's dressed for all three games, and has an assist on one of Vladimir Tarasenko's goals from the home opener on Saturday. The defense Tuesday night in Chicago generally was not of the best quality; perhaps this is one way that coach Ken Hitchcock can deliver a swift kick to their pants.

Redden will be activated for tomorrow night's game against the Nashville Predators and will be wearing Erik Johnson's old #6.

EDIT: According to Dan O'Neill, the sending of Cole to Peoria is all procedural stuff:

The team put defenseman Jeff Woywitka on waivers and, officially, sent defenseman Ian Cole to Peoria of the AHL on Wednesday to make roster room for Redden. However, it is expected Cole will not even pack. If Woywitka clears waivers, as expected, he most likely will be sent to Peoria and Cole will be recalled.