Jim Montgomery Returns to Lead the Blues
In a significant move, Jim Montgomery has been named the head coach of the St. Louis Blues. After a fruitful tenure with the Boston Bruins, Montgomery's appointment marks a homecoming of sorts, having previously served as an assistant coach for the Blues from 2020 to 2022.
The Blues, a team with a rich history but struggling in recent times, missed the playoffs last season under coach Drew Bannister. Bannister had stepped in after the departure of Craig Berube in December, but the team's performance didn’t meet expectations. The Blues commenced the current season with a lackluster 9-12-1 record, prompting a need for change.
"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, expressing his enthusiasm for the new role and underscoring the strategic direction set by Doug Armstrong, President and General Manager of the Blues.
Montgomery's Impressive Credentials
Jim Montgomery’s recent tenure with the Boston Bruins was nothing short of impressive, including a historic 65-win, 135-point season in 2022-23, culminating in his recognition as Coach of the Year. Despite an eventual dismissal following a 12-loss streak in 20 games earlier in the season, Montgomery's .659 career points percentage underscores his capability as a top-tier coach.
Montgomery's familiarity with more than half of the current Blues lineup enhances his prospects for reinvigorating the team's dynamics. "I have worked with over half this lineup already, and I know how committed they are," Montgomery stated. "For me, this was a no-brainer for me to come back home."
Tactical Challenges Await
As Montgomery takes the helm, he faces several tactical challenges. The Blues are currently averaging 2.36 goals per game, a statistic that places them in need of offensive improvements. Likewise, their power play and penalty kill rank in the bottom third of the league, areas undoubtedly requiring strategic focus.
Montgomery’s optimism is palpable as he 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."
Leadership and Vision
Backing Montgomery’s leadership is an aspirational five-year deal, illustrating the profound commitment from the Blues' ownership. Tom Stillman, at the head of the ownership group, is evidently invested in building a resilient team for the long term. "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 elaborated, highlighting the shared vision for the franchise's future.
Doug Armstrong has echoed this sentiment, saying, "He's one of those coaches that I really do believe can be with this team now and as it grows." Armstrong's confidence in Montgomery is evident, aligning with the organizational goal of nurturing a competitive and cohesive team.
The Path Forward
Jim Montgomery returns to the St. Louis Blues not just as a coach but as a strategic architect tasked with marrying past experience with future ambition. His intimate knowledge of the organization and its players could be the catalyst needed to transform the Blues into genuine contenders. As the team looks to transcend the struggles of recent seasons, Montgomery's tenure begins with both the burden of expectation and the promise of potential.
With Montgomery at the helm and a supportive leadership team, the Blues' fans have renewed hope for a reinvigorated journey through the NHL landscape. His personal philosophy, summed up in his anecdotal wisdom, “The best line that put his hooks into me is, 'When you do the right thing, another door opens,'” exemplifies his approach to seizing new opportunities with determination and purpose. For Montgomery, the door has opened once more, and this time it’s in familiar colors.