In a stunning turn of events that has sent shockwaves throughout the NHL, the St. Louis Blues have fired head coach Drew Bannister and replaced him with Jim Montgomery, just five days after Montgomery was let go by the Boston Bruins. The abrupt coaching change comes as the Blues struggle to find their footing this season, having lost 13 of their first 22 games.
The move is particularly surprising given Bannister’s recent success with the team. Just last season, he took over for Stanley Cup-winning coach Craig Berube and led the Blues to a playoff berth, ultimately earning the Jack Adams Award as the NHL’s top coach. However, it seems that the team’s current woes were enough for Blues management to make a drastic change.
Montgomery’s Road Back to the NHL
For Jim Montgomery, the hiring marks a swift return to the NHL head coaching ranks. Montgomery previously served as an assistant coach under Berube in St. Louis for two seasons before taking the head coaching job with the Dallas Stars in 2018. He led the Stars to the playoffs in his first season but was abruptly fired in December 2019 for “unprofessional conduct.”
Montgomery later revealed that he had been struggling with alcohol abuse and had checked himself into a rehab program. After completing treatment, he was hired as an assistant coach by the Bruins in 2020. He played a key role in helping the team reach the Stanley Cup Finals last season before being promoted to head coach this past offseason.
However, Montgomery’s tenure in Boston was short-lived. The Bruins got off to a disappointing start this season, and management ultimately decided to make a change, dismissing Montgomery after just 22 games.
A Familiar Face in St. Louis
While the timing of the move may be surprising, Montgomery’s hiring makes sense given his familiarity with the Blues organization. During his two seasons as an assistant coach in St. Louis, Montgomery was known for his strong tactical acumen and ability to relate to players.
Jim is a brilliant hockey mind and a great communicator. He has a proven track record of success as both an assistant and head coach in this league. We believe he is the right person to get our team back on track.
– Doug Armstrong, St. Louis Blues President of Hockey Operations and General Manager
Montgomery will be tasked with turning around a Blues team that has struggled mightily this season, particularly on the defensive end of the ice. St. Louis currently ranks near the bottom of the league in goals allowed per game and has struggled to find consistency in net.
What’s Next for the Blues?
With Montgomery now at the helm, the Blues will look to get back on track and make a push for a playoff spot in the competitive Western Conference. The team still boasts a talented roster led by star forwards Vladimir Tarasenko and Ryan O’Reilly, as well as a deep defensive corps anchored by Colton Parayko and Torey Krug.
However, the Blues will need to find a way to shore up their goaltending if they hope to make a run. starter Jordan Binnington has struggled mightily this season, posting a .889 save percentage and 3.27 goals against average. Backup Ville Husso has fared slightly better but has yet to prove he can handle a heavy workload.
If Montgomery can help get Binnington back on track and instill a more structured defensive system, the Blues have the talent to be a dangerous team in the Western Conference. However, time is running short, and the team will need to turn things around quickly if they hope to avoid missing the playoffs for the first time since 2018.
A Stunning Turn of Events
Regardless of how things play out, the Blues’ decision to fire Bannister and hire Montgomery just days after his own dismissal is a stunning turn of events that has the hockey world buzzing. It’s rare to see a coach fired and hired by a new team in such quick succession, let alone in the middle of a season.
The move also raises questions about Montgomery’s long-term future in the NHL. While there’s no denying his coaching acumen, his history of personal struggles and abrupt departures from both Dallas and Boston may give some teams pause when considering him for future head coaching vacancies.
I’m grateful for the opportunity to coach this team and am excited to get to work. I know we have the talent to turn things around and make a push for the playoffs. It’s going to take commitment and hard work from everyone, but I’m confident we can get there.
– Jim Montgomery, New St. Louis Blues Head Coach
For now though, Montgomery’s focus will be solely on righting the ship in St. Louis and getting the Blues back to their winning ways. With a five-year contract in hand and a talented roster at his disposal, the pressure will be on the 53-year-old coach to deliver results quickly in one of the NHL’s most passionate hockey markets.
Can Montgomery lead the Blues back to the playoffs and re-establish himself as one of the NHL’s top coaches? Or will his tenure in St. Louis be short-lived like his stints in Dallas and Boston? Only time will tell, but one thing is for certain – the hockey world will be watching closely as this stunning saga continues to unfold.
