Jim Montgomery has circled back to familiar terrain with his recent appointment as head coach of the St. Louis Blues. Formerly an assistant coach with the team from 2020 to 2022, Montgomery is no stranger to the Blues' organization. His hiring signals a fresh chapter for the team following a challenging season under Drew Bannister, who took over as head coach mid-season but was unable to propel the team to playoff success.
The Blues' underwhelming 9-12-1 start to the current season and their position marred by a lackluster performance in both the power play and penalty kill underscored the urgent need for a strategic overhaul. They currently average 2.36 goals per game, placing them among the lower echelons of the league in offensive productivity. Under Bannister's stewardship, the team missed the playoffs, an outcome that hastened the management's decision to bring in Montgomery.
Montgomery comes to the Blues following a stint with the Boston Bruins, a period marked by both stark highs and lows. The coach’s tenure saw a record-breaking 65-win, 135-point season in 2022-23, a performance that earned him the prestigious title of Coach of the Year. However, this achievement was overshadowed by the recent struggles with the Bruins, where he endured a losing streak of 12 out of 20 games, leading to his dismissal.
Despite these recent setbacks, Montgomery remains optimistic about his new role with the Blues. "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," he reflects. Demonstrating faith in Montgomery's capabilities, Doug Armstrong, the President and General Manager of the Blues, stated, "He's one of those coaches that I really do believe can be with this team now and as it grows."
Montgomery's intimate knowledge of the team is a significant asset, as he has previously worked with more than half of the current Blues lineup. His familiarity with the players could facilitate a smooth transition and quick adaption to his coaching philosophy. Expressing his connection to the team, Montgomery remarked, "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."
Supported by the Blues' ownership group, led by Tom Stillman, Montgomery's five-year contract demonstrates the organization’s long-term investment in his vision and strategy. "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 shared.
The road to playoff contention in the NHL is notoriously challenging, with half the league's teams missing out each season. Montgomery acknowledges this reality, yet his confidence in the Blues' potential remains unshaken. "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," Montgomery asserts.
In hiring Jim Montgomery, the St. Louis Blues are betting on a blend of past familiarity and future potential. As they aim to recalibrate and climb back into playoff contention, the organization has placed its trust in a leader who is both seasoned and determined. With this new chapter, Montgomery and the Blues look to transform past lessons into future victories, stepping forward with a renewed sense of optimism and purpose.