Jim Montgomery Returns to St. Louis as Head Coach
The St. Louis Blues have made a high-profile coaching change, bringing in Jim Montgomery as their head coach. Montgomery, who served as an assistant coach for the Blues from 2020-22, returns to St. Louis after a stint with the Boston Bruins. This move signals a shift in direction for the Blues as they seek to climb back into playoff contention.
The Blues struggled last season, missing the playoffs under coach Drew Bannister, who had assumed the role after Craig Berube's departure in December. With a current season record of 9-12-1 and averages of 2.36 goals per game, the team’s performance has placed them in the bottom third for both power play and penalty kill statistics. Montgomery’s appointment is seen as a strategic move to revitalize the team's competitiveness.
The Journey Back Home
Jim Montgomery expressed his excitement about returning to St. Louis, a city and team he knows well. "When you get a phone call and you hear Doug Armstrong's plan and how you're a big part of it, that makes you feel it is the right place to go," Montgomery stated. As the Blues' new head coach, Montgomery spoke of his existing rapport with over half the current lineup, reinforcing his belief in the players' commitment and potential—an understanding that could prove key in turning the team’s fortunes around. "For me, this was a no-brainer for me to come back home," he added.
A Coach with Credentials
Montgomery brings with him an impressive coaching resume, highlighted by his successful tenure with the Boston Bruins. During the 2022-23 season, he led the team to 65 wins and a remarkable 135-point campaign, earning him the Coach of the Year accolade. Despite a challenging start to the current season with the Bruins, enduring a losing streak of 12 out of 20 games, his career boasts a .659 points percentage. Such credentials make him an appealing choice to lead the Blues back into the playoff picture.
Leadership Vision and Support
Doug Armstrong, President and General Manager of the Blues, echoed the sentiment of mutual trust and strategic alignment between Montgomery and the franchise. "He's one of those coaches that I really do believe can be with this team now and as it grows," Armstrong commented, highlighting Montgomery’s potential to lead both in the immediate and long-term future. This belief is underscored by the five-year contract handed to Montgomery, demonstrating the commitment shared by Tom Stillman and the Blues' ownership group. As Montgomery put it, "It's about your relationships in life...that we are in this together." These words reflect the deep-seated alliance and shared aspirations within the organization.
The landscape of the NHL is unforgiving, with half of the teams missing the playoffs each season. Montgomery acknowledges this reality but is optimistic about the Blues’ potential evolution. "It's not easy to make the playoffs in this league. Half the teams miss it. But I do think that in time this is a caliber playoff team," he concluded.
With these changes, the Blues are looking forward to the rejuvenation of their team. Montgomery's blend of familiarity with the players, proven coaching acumen, and forward-thinking approach could be precisely what the Blues need to navigate the challenges ahead and carve a path back to the NHL playoffs. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on how the team responds to this new era under Montgomery’s guidance.