Following a 3-1 loss to the New York Islanders, the St. Louis Blues relieved head coach Drew Bannister of his duties and employed former Boston Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery. The transfer comes lower than per week after the Bruins relieved Montgomery of his duties following an 8-9-3 begin. Basic supervisor Doug Armstrong made it clear that the transfer was nearly fully made due to a coach like Montgomery being obtainable somewhat than due to Bannister’s efficiency.
Bannister’s run in St. Louis was restricted, however there are some things to mirror on. Let’s get into how he carried out, why he wasn’t the correct match, and what the longer term holds.
Bannister Lasts Much less Than Calendar Yr
Bannister was employed because the interim head coach on Dec. 14, 2023, to exchange Craig Berube. He coached a complete of 76 video games between this season and the 2023-24 season. This season was a wrestle in each approach for the group beneath his management. Final season, they went 30-19-5 after bringing him in on an interim foundation. After getting the full-time function this season, they went 9-12-1 earlier than a call to maneuver on was made.
General, Bannister is 39-31-6 as an NHL head coach and he’s acquired quite a lot of room to develop. The roster he was given is a problem, particularly with how little head teaching expertise he has at this degree. Armstrong acknowledged that in his press convention following the choice. He was extra in regards to the availability of Montgomery somewhat than how the group had carried out this season beneath this employees.
I push again on the membership’s publicly acknowledged logic slightly bit. The group wasn’t responding to any choice he made. The gamers and coaches have failed this season, however that doesn’t take all of the blame away from the entrance workplace. The Blues don’t want a spark proper now. They want stability and hope for the longer term, which Montgomery is way extra doubtless to supply than Bannister.
Bannister Made Strides However Wasn’t Proper Match
Lots of the strides made by Bannister got here final season. Lots of the problems this season had been the identical ones that plagued them in components of final season, however accidents turned a significant component as nicely. The best factor to do is to not blame him for a majority of the problems, however he didn’t do the job nicely sufficient. There are ranges to teaching within the NHL and Montgomery has a much more confirmed monitor file than Bannister.
Associated: St. Louis Blues Hearth Drew Bannister, Rent Jim Montgomery as Head Coach
He’s the correct match if the Blues are going full rebuild mode, which they aren’t right now. He’s younger and inexperienced, which is ok in lots of circumstances, however not when a high-level coach who has familiarity with the group turns into obtainable.
Blues Hope Montgomery Supplies Stability
Montgomery signed a whopping five-year deal with the Blues, so he’s going to be round for the lengthy haul. He’s the third head coach employed by Armstrong up to now six seasons. The membership had an elite energy play in 2021-22 when he was working issues as an assistant beneath Berube. He has an ideal understanding of win at this degree and he is aware of many gamers on this roster fairly nicely. I belief his judgment greater than many different coaches within the league, so it’ll be good to have a veteran of this caliber behind the bench.
Once more, it’s not a shot at Bannister, however Armstrong needed to make this transfer. The dedication to a five-year deal modifications the dynamic of the franchise in the interim. They’ve extra stability now than they’ve had for the reason that center of Berube’s run as head coach. After all, the league is everchanging and issues can transfer shortly. Both approach, I belief in Montgomery to ultimately get this factor circled.
