In a bold move aimed at rejuvenating the St. Louis Blues, Jim Montgomery has stepped into the role of head coach, returning to a familiar franchise with a wealth of experience and a formidable track record. Montgomery, who was an assistant coach for the Blues from 2020 to 2022, re-enters a team grappling with early-season struggles, as they began this campaign with a 9-12-1 record.
A Historic Past and Promising Future
The decision to bring Montgomery back into the fold comes on the heels of a playoff-less season under the tenure of Drew Bannister, who had assumed coaching duties from Craig Berube midway last year. Montgomery's return is not just a second chance for the coach but is also seen as a strategic play by President and General Manager Doug Armstrong. Armstrong remarked, "He's one of those coaches that I really do believe can be with this team now and as it grows." For Armstrong, Montgomery is clearly much more than just the latest face behind the bench.
Montgomery arrives with an impressive résumé, having been named Coach of the Year during his time with the Boston Bruins in the 2022-23 season, a year which included an astonishing 65-win, 135-point campaign—an enviable feat by any measure. Despite this success, the Bruins dismissed him following a challenging stretch this season, marked by a 12-loss run in 20 games. Montgomery was philosophical about the transition, reflecting, "The best line that put his hooks into me is, 'When you do the right thing, another door opens.'"
Connections and Commitments
Jim Montgomery's ties to the St. Louis Blues run deep. He's worked with more than half of the current lineup in previous stints, a familiarity that played a crucial role in his decision to return. "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," Montgomery stated, reinforcing that this reunion is built on established relationships and mutual respect.
Beyond personal connections, the structural support seems just as solid. Montgomery lauded the five-year deal extended to him, saying, "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." The trust placed in him by the ownership group led by Stillman underscores both the long-term vision the Blues have and their readiness to invest in Montgomery as a central figure in that blueprint.
The Current Challenges
Despite Montgomery’s promising return, the current state of the Blues presents a formidable challenge. The team sits in the bottom third for both power play and penalty kill, and they've been averaging only 2.36 goals per game. Addressing these issues will be key as Montgomery applies his coaching philosophy to elevate the team's game.
With half of the NHL teams missing the playoffs each year, the competition is undeniably tough. But Montgomery remains optimistic about the Blues' potential. "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 commented, reinforcing his belief that the team can realign with postseason aspirations under his guidance.
For the Blues, securing someone of Montgomery's caliber comes at a critical juncture. They are a franchise with recent postseason appearances and laudable performances, now seeking to reignite that fire. As Montgomery takes the helm, both he and the team are eager to navigate the pitfalls of previous seasons and chart a course back to success. His .659 career points percentage speaks volumes about his competency and potential to leave a lasting impact.
It’s a significant appointment that could herald a transformative era for the St. Louis Blues. With Montgomery's return, both the team and its fans hope that the new chapter being written will memorialize resilience, growth, and eventual glory on the ice.