The St. Louis Blues have initiated a significant shift in their coaching leadership, announcing the hiring of Jim Montgomery as their new head coach. Montgomery, who previously served as an assistant coach for the Blues from 2020 to 2022, returns to a team eager to rebuild its fortunes after missing the playoffs last season.
Montgomery’s Return
The decision to bring Montgomery back into the fold comes as the franchise faces considerable challenges on the ice. The Blues struggled last season under coach Drew Bannister, who assumed the role mid-season after Craig Berube's departure. With a 9-12-1 record to start the current season, there is a growing need for a strong leadership presence that Montgomery is believed to embody.
“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 shared. His return is underscored by his familiarity with over half the current lineup, offering a potential advantage in terms of team cohesion and strategy execution.
A Proven Record
Montgomery's career is marked by notable highs, including his tenure with the Boston Bruins where he guided the team through an impressive 65-win, 135-point season in 2022-23. Such achievements culminated in Montgomery being named Coach of the Year for that season. Despite a recent dip, with a 12-game losing streak out of 20 games prior to his dismissal from the Bruins, Montgomery's overall coaching track record remains impressive, boasting a .659 career points percentage.
Doug Armstrong, the President and General Manager of the Blues, expressed optimism about Montgomery's role in the team's future: “He’s one of those coaches that I really do believe can be with this team now and as it grows.”
Challenges and Opportunities
As Montgomery assumes his new role, he faces the immediate challenge of reversing the Blues' current trajectory. The team is averaging just 2.36 goals per game and sits in the bottom third for both the power play and penalty kill rankings. These metrics highlight areas requiring urgent attention from the coaching staff.
Yet, Montgomery's confidence in his team's potential shines through. “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 stated, emphasizing his belief in the squad's capabilities.
A Five-Year Vision
Integral to Montgomery’s new chapter with the Blues is the long-term commitment the franchise has made, demonstrated by a five-year coaching deal. “It's about your relationships in life... The five-year deal shows the commitment of Tom Stillman and the ownership group, that we are in this together,” Montgomery remarked, highlighting the mutual faith between coach and ownership.
Tom Stillman, head of the Blues' ownership group, and Doug Armstrong are banking on Montgomery’s familiarity with the team and his history with the organization to foster a successful rebuild. The Blues' leadership seems intent on not only restoring the team to its former glory but also ensuring that a solid foundation is set for continued success in future campaigns.
Jim Montgomery’s return to the St. Louis Blues represents more than just a change of guard; it is a calculated attempt to blend past camaraderie with future aspirations. As the new season unfolds, all eyes will be on how this dynamic plays out on the ice, hoping that Montgomery’s legacy of growth coincides with a new era of success for the Blues.