The St. Louis Blues are embarking on a new chapter under coach Jim Montgomery, following the unexpected firing of Drew Bannister. The decision to let go of Bannister was heavily influenced by Montgomery’s sudden availability after his dismissal from the Boston Bruins. Blues General Manager Doug Armstrong recognized a rare opportunity to hire a coach of Montgomery’s caliber, and he didn’t hesitate to act.
Armstrong, who has long admired Montgomery’s coaching abilities, believes the timing couldn’t have been better. He noted that the decision was almost entirely driven by the chance to bring in a high-quality coach. “This was more of an opportunity to get someone of Jim’s caliber than anything else,” Armstrong explained.
While the firing of Bannister wasn’t solely about his performance, the move was driven by the fact that Montgomery’s resume and reputation as a coach were unparalleled. With the Blues sitting in a subpar position in the standings, Armstrong and the team’s management have placed their faith in Montgomery to turn things around.
Taking Over a Team in Transition
Montgomery is taking over a team that has been plagued with injuries throughout the season. Key players such as star center Robert Thomas and offseason acquisition Philp Broberg have spent a significant amount of time on the sidelines. The team has been further hampered by injuries to Brandon Saad, Nathan Walker, Alexandre Texier, and Oskar Sundqvist. As a result, the Blues have yet to field a fully healthy roster, leaving them struggling in sixth place in the Central Division with a 9-12-1 record.
Despite these challenges, Montgomery has a proven track record of getting the most out of his teams. During his time with both the Dallas Stars and the Boston Bruins, Montgomery’s systems made his teams highly efficient with and without the puck. Last season with the Bruins, he turned the team’s defense into one of the best in the league, allowing just 2.70 goals per game. Though the Blues’ offense hasn’t been as prolific this season, Montgomery’s influence is expected to bring a positive shift.
High Expectations for the New Era
With Montgomery at the helm, the Blues have a chance for a fresh start and to regain the form that Armstrong envisioned for the team at the start of the season. There’s still plenty of time for the Blues to turn things around and get back into playoff contention. As Montgomery looks to implement his systems and bring stability to the lineup, the expectation is that the team will improve significantly in both defensive consistency and offensive output.
For Montgomery, this is a critical moment to prove that the decision to bring him in was the right one for the future of the franchise. With a talented, albeit injured, roster and the full backing of the front office, the pressure is on to lead the Blues back to the playoffs and beyond.
