Would Blues let Doug Armstrong go to Maple Leafs? Coaching staff changes? Mailbag, Part 2

New York Times

24-05-2025

ST. LOUIS — When the Florida Panthers were waxing the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-1 in Game 7 of their second-round series, I knew I'd soon be addressing one commonly asked question regarding the St. Louis Blues.
In 2023, Toronto fired general manager Kyle Dubas, and many Blues fans wondered whether GM Doug Armstrong would have some interest. I addressed it back then, and the feeling I had was that though it made sense for the Maple Leafs, it didn't for the Blues.
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Now, the Leafs are at a crossroads again after parting ways with team president Brendan Shanahan on Thursday, and even before that, the Blues mailbag was filling up with questions about Armstrong.
So let's start there in Part 2 of the mailbag, following Part 1 earlier this week.
(Note: Some questions have been lightly edited for length and clarity.)
With Toronto's recent collapse, could Armstrong be enticed to leave the Blues for Toronto? — Patrick H.
The situation is no different this time. Armstrong is under contract, and the Blues have no interest in his leaving.
When this popped up in 2023, Armstrong's contract as the president of hockey operations and GM ran through 2025-26. In July, he agreed to a three-year extension under which he'll fulfill the final year of the deal as GM before handing over the reins to Alexander Steen. After that, he'll hold the title of team president through the 2028-29 season.
So even if Armstrong wanted to go to Toronto, it's moot because, as I wrote last time, the Blues are going to want him around to guide Steen into the next era.
That's likely why there was a lot less circulation of Armstrong's name when speculation began to rise about finding Shanahan's replacement. The situation in Toronto is a little different this time, too, because the Leafs have a GM in Brad Treliving. And Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment boss Keith Pelley said Friday that Shanahan isn't being replaced for now anyway.
The president position is one Armstrong would have been well suited for had things been different. But he was aware of Shanahan's uncertain status in Toronto, so if he had any interest in the role, he wouldn't have agreed to the extension with the Blues.
Either way, Blues fans don't need to be concerned about it — for now.
What are the chances Armstrong moves on from St. Louis after the 2025-26 season? I know he will have three years left on his contract as president, but would he listen outside of St. Louis? — Bruce S.
The reason I wrote 'for now' in my last response is there's a chance Armstrong could leave at some point during the three-year portion of his contract when he's the president and Steen the GM.
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That's not based on any conversations with anyone. It's based on the fact Armstrong is still just 60 years old, and when he announced the succession plan with Steen, he pointed out he still loves the job and could do it for 'another 10 years.' Lou Lamoriello, recently fired by the New York Islanders, is 82. David Poile retired two years ago at age 73.
Perhaps Armstrong is different. Perhaps he will give way to Steen, sign another extension in 2029 and sit in the management perch alongside Steen for years to come. But after replacing Larry Pleau in St. Louis in 2010, he might be looking for a new challenge after what would be nearly two decades with the Blues.
With a full offseason, what is the likelihood of Jim Montgomery making changes to the coaching staff? Or any chance one of them decides to leave? — Shawn B.
This is going to take a little more time to shake out. The Blues aren't necessarily looking to make any changes, but there could be other opportunities for some of the staff. We'll probably have a better handle on the situation a few weeks after the Stanley Cup Final.
At the year-end press conference, the Blues referenced how they transitioned from playing as individuals to playing as one unit, implying there were individuals who needed to be brought along. Can you at least give us a glimpse into what was happening? — Adam S.
I noticed that, too, particularly the comment from Pavel Buchnevich. For those who missed it, he was asked about the Blues' culture coming back in the second half of the season and said, 'We go back to playing as a team, not like as player by player, but as a team.'
At the start of the season, the atmosphere around the team was a lot better than in years past. The players had a positive outlook on the season and genuinely enjoyed being around each other. But the results weren't coming, there was the coaching change, and even under Montgomery, they still went through a stretch when it wasn't getting any better.
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There weren't personality conflicts. They were all dealing with the struggle, and when they got back from the 4 Nations break, they collectively hit the reset button. The team was the priority, their success reinforced that, and that's the togetherness Buchnevich was referring to.
One thing I haven't seen discussed about Winnipeg's tying goal was Justin Faulk being on the ice. You can see Cam Fowler leaving the ice before the puck enters the zone and Faulk takes his place. Colton Parayko was already on the ice, giving them two right-handed defensemen. Who sent Faulk on the ice? — Michael P.
This is a great question, and I have the answer, which will be interesting for everyone.
When Winnipeg's Nikolaj Ehlers lost the handle on the puck at the point with the Winnipeg Jets trailing 3-2 and 30 seconds remaining in regulation, the Jets regrouped in the neutral zone and got ready to re-enter their offensive zone. That's when Fowler called for a change, and as you mention, Faulk (a righty) jumped on the ice for him instead of Philip Broberg (a lefty).
The reason is that when the Blues are five-on-six and their left D is closest to the bench, the team wants the right D who's up next (Faulk in this case) to come on for him (Fowler in this case) and then eventually slide over when Parayko changes and the new left D (Broberg) comes on. That's done so that Faulk isn't changing for Parayko, as they'd normally do, and the right side of the ice is left vacant against the extra attacker.
The other reason the Blues do it this way is that they want to make sure two D-men aren't jumping over the boards for one and the team gets whistled for too many men. But the answer as to why it was Faulk, and not Broberg, is that they bring the right D on first and he slides over.
In this situation, it turned catastrophic when Faulk couldn't clear the puck on a backhand and Parayko couldn't either on a rim shot from behind the net, and the Jets scored to tie it at 3 in the final seconds.
Speaking of the Winnipeg game, I'm wondering if you had your story mostly written before the Jets' miracle comeback? — Jeff N.
I didn't have it mostly written. I had it all written. I also booked my flight to Dallas with four minutes left in regulation. I know, I know, blame me.
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Have you heard anything about new uniforms for next season? — Tom W.
There's been lots of chatter about this on social media, and here's what I can tell you: This is the second year of a uniform deal with Fanatics, so I would not be surprised if we see a bit of a refresh or rebrand for the 2025-26 season. The Blues haven't announced/confirmed anything yet, but it sure seems like we'll hear some news on that this summer.
compare the current Blue Note to the apparent new version — along with the current alternate/retro design and the one used as a shoulder patch on this year's WC jersey.
subtle differences, but noteworthy. pic.twitter.com/92m4urwbvT
— icethetics (@icethetics) May 9, 2025
I've heard that they will be going to a more-throwback home and an away that is like the 2017 and 2022 Winter Classic jerseys. Have you heard anything like that? — Cory S.
If I had to guess, we're going to see something Winter Classic-related. Those have been popular, and in the conversations I've had with Blues staff in charge of the designs, they really do take fan feedback and interest to heart.
It bugs me that home teams wear the colored uniforms in the NHL. What are your thoughts on switching back to white at home and color on the road? — David L.
I was born in 1975, and the NHL wore whites at home from 1970 to 2003, so that's what I prefer. There are a lot of beliefs as to why the league switched. I've heard the colored jerseys sell better, so they wanted teams to wear them at home in front of their fans. To my knowledge, there's no chatter about going back.
Did you ever find out who was behind the whole 'Jobu' thing? Who brought him into the locker room? — Edie R.
I'll tell you if you send me some rum.
I would love to see quotes/interviews from players who were involved in classic games: the St. Patty's Day Massacre, the San Jose hand-pass game or the Flyers game when the players were in the stands. Could you write those? — Michael H.
Since I joined The Athletic in 2017, I've wanted to write about the St. Patrick's Day Massacre between the Blues and Chicago Blackhawks on March 17, 1991. For younger fans who might be unfamiliar with that day, there were a combined 278 penalty minutes, 12 major penalties, 17 misconducts and 12 ejections. Next March would be the 35th anniversary, so that would be a good opportunity to go back and interview those involved, right?
What are your favorite NHL cities and/or facilities to work in? Are there any that make it particularly challenging to do your job? — Scott F.
When I was younger, I liked going to the big cities for the first time: New York, Boston, L.A., Toronto, etc. After seeing those cities, I preferred convenience — the shortest distance from the airport to the hotel and rink.
As far as challenges, not really. When the game is over, it's a race to get downstairs to the dressing room in time for the interviews, and in rinks such as Toronto, San Jose, Boston and Anaheim, it's kind of an obstacle course going down the elevator and weaving your way through the hallways to get to the room. But nothing too bad.
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My favorite is when the arenas are named after massive communications companies, such as Rogers, and have bad internet in the press box. They had one job!
Do you have a favorite menu item at Jack's BBQ in Nashville? — Chris P.
Three-meat plate with brisket, sausage and turkey. It comes with two sides, and I usually go with baked beans and mac and cheese, and they also give you a slice of cornbread. I know that's a lot, but here's the trick: I get half sweet and half unsweet tea to make sure I'm not overdoing it!
If Blues fans could bring back one former player who is still currently playing in the NHL for one more season, who would you guess they would want to see? (Mine rhymes with Wayvid Duron). — Rshaffer3
You're right that it would be David Perron.
It always came off as if you were closer to Perron than other players. With Steen coming in as the GM, does that open the door for Perron to rejoin the Blues in some capacity after his playing days? — Andrew B.
Quick story: When the Blues live-streamed their end-of-season news conference, Perron was not there, but he texted me, 'You're in the way of the camera.' He was watching! He loves the Blues. I have to believe there'd be an opportunity for him in some capacity under Steen in the future.
(Photo of Doug Armstrong: Jeff Curry / USA Today)