Jim Montgomery Returns to St. Louis Blues as Head Coach
Jim Montgomery is no stranger to the St. Louis Blues. After serving as an assistant coach from 2020 to 2022 and now returning as the head coach, Montgomery's journey with the Blues seems both a homecoming and a fresh start. His return is highly anticipated by fans and players alike who hope that his leadership will steer the team back into playoff contention.
The Blues find themselves at a crossroads after missing the playoffs last season. Under the previous coach Drew Bannister, the team struggled and Bannister had stepped in after Craig Berube’s departure in December. Still, the Blues could not marshal the wins required, with the season starting at a bleak 9-12-1 record. In an effort to change the tide, the franchise has turned to Montgomery, who brings a wealth of experience and familiarity with over half of the current Blues lineup.
Reflecting on the decision to return to St. Louis, Montgomery expressed confidence and enthusiasm: "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 stated. Montgomery’s past involvement with the team gives him a unique perspective and a personal stake in their success. "For me, this was a no-brainer for me to come back home," he added, citing established relationships with players as a key factor.
Montgomery’s Coaching Trajectory
Montgomery's coaching career has seen its highs and lows. His latest tenure with the Boston Bruins was marked by a mixed bag of results. Despite a challenging period where the Bruins lost 12 out of 20 games, Montgomery had helmed the team to a phenomenal 65-win, 135-point season in 2022-23, earning him the prestigious Coach of the Year title. However, professional sports are often unforgiving, and the transition back to the Blues offers Montgomery a chance for redemption and new achievements.
The Blues' current performance issues are clear: averaging just 2.36 goals per game and ranking in the lower third for both power play and penalty kill. Improving these standings will require strategic intervention—a challenge that Montgomery seems eager to undertake. His career points percentage of .659 reflects a seasoned capability to harness potential and guide a team to greater heights.
Doug Armstrong, the President and General Manager of the Blues, expressed his confidence in Montgomery's capabilities, indicating a long-term vision for the team: "He's one of those coaches that I really do believe can be with this team now and as it grows." This belief is also echoed by Tom Stillman and the Blues’ ownership group, demonstrated through the offering of a five-year contract to Montgomery, underscoring a commitment to long-term success and stability.
Looking Ahead
Montgomery acknowledges the difficulty of achieving playoff status in a competitive league where half the teams miss out each year. "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 asserts. His approach is one of patience and resilience, understanding the deep-rooted challenges but also the promising capabilities within the Blues’ roster.
As the team moves forward this season, the expectation is that Montgomery’s prior rapport with players will translate into improved performance on the ice. "I have worked with over half this lineup already, and I know how committed they are," he notes, highlighting the pre-existing trust and mutual respect that can catalyze change. The groundwork is set, and Montgomery’s task is now to translate camaraderie into results.
The Road to Redemption
The narrative of Jim Montgomery with the St. Louis Blues is a testament to the cyclical nature of sports careers, where past affiliations can forge opportunities anew. His journey reflects the unpredictability of coaching careers, where excellence and adversity intertwine. But as history has often shown, a familiar environment can yield a powerful comeback. For Montgomery, the Blues represent both a challenge and a canvas upon which to paint a vision of sustained triumph. The fans, the management, and the players eagerly await what the future holds under his stewardship.