Jim Montgomery Returns to St. Louis as Head Coach
In a strategic move reflecting both optimism and necessity, the St. Louis Blues have appointed Jim Montgomery as their new head coach. Montgomery, who once served as an assistant coach with the Blues from 2020 to 2022, steps into the head coaching role with a formidable track record in hand.
Montgomery's Coaching Journey
The decision to hire Montgomery is born of both familiarity and faith in his abilities. "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, expressing his enthusiasm for returning to St. Louis. This follows a notable tenure with the Boston Bruins, where he was named Coach of the Year for the 2022-23 season after leading the team to an impressive 65-win, 135-point season. Despite this achievement, inevitably turbulent times came with a streak of 12 losses in 20 games, culminating in his dismissal.
Challenges with the Blues
The Blues have freshly emerged from a challenging season where they missed the playoffs under the short-term leadership of Drew Bannister, who had assumed the role from Craig Berube in December. Currently, the team holds a 9-12-1 record and is averaging just 2.36 goals per game, with their power play and penalty kill ranking in the bottom third of the league. These are statistics that Montgomery will undoubtedly be eager to reshape. In acknowledging the uphill battle, Montgomery remarked, "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."
An Aligned Vision for Success
Doug Armstrong, the President and General Manager of the Blues, has expressed his confidence in Montgomery’s capabilities. "He's one of those coaches that I really do believe can be with this team now and as it grows," Armstrong stated. The decision to provide Montgomery with a five-year deal underlines the commitment of Tom Stillman and the Blues' ownership group to a long-term vision for success.
Montgomery’s experience with over half of the current Blues lineup further supports this renewed collaboration. "I have worked with over half this lineup already, and I know how committed they are. For me, this was a no-brainer for me to come back home," he shared, indicating a positive pre-existing rapport with the team that could prove crucial in the coming months.
Looking Forward
The task at hand for Montgomery and the Blues is clear: to transform potential into performance and capitalize on the talent within the roster. Montgomery’s career .659 points percentage stands as evidence of his aptitude for developing winning teams, and his rapport with the Blues' leadership and lineup offers a promising foundation for future success.
In a league where competition is fierce and sustained success is elusive, Montgomery is ready to embrace the challenge wholeheartedly. "The best line that put his hooks into me is, 'When you do the right thing, another door opens.' I guess I was a T-bone that day," he noted, reflecting on his journey and the opportunities it has unveiled.
As the Blues skate into what promises to be another demanding season, Montgomery’s return ignites hopes for a rejuvenated squad, poised to regain its footing in the NHL playoff picture. With his vision and leadership, coupled with the backing of dedicated management and an invested ownership group, Jim Montgomery is eager to steer the Blues towards a new chapter of success.