Alexander Steen Q&A: Blues future GM on learning from Doug Armstrong, state of the team and more

New York Times

09-05-2025

ST. LOUIS — In June 2024, the St. Louis Blues announced that Alexander Steen would be taking over the reins from Doug Armstrong as the team's next general manager.
Does it feel like it's already been a year?
'Yeah, it's been a great year!' Steen said Friday. 'With Doug's mentorship and the staff that we have, they've made it very easy for me to find my rhythm, and it's been a great first year.'
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In Steen's first month on the job last June, the GM-in-waiting was a part of his first NHL Draft, followed by free agency, training camp, the start of the season, the trade deadline and eventually the playoffs.
Along the way, management had to make a lot of difficult decisions, most notably the firing of Drew Bannister and bringing in Jim Montgomery.
Steen absorbed it all and will have one more year of that before officially becoming the first person to occupy Armstrong's seat since 2010, when he replaced Larry Pleau.
Armstrong said earlier this week that Steen has positioned himself well to assume the role.
'His confidence as a hockey executive is growing,' Armstrong said. 'The questions he asks now are genuine; they're thought out. He's been around long enough to see what we do and how we do it. So I think he's in a good spot and he'll be ready. There's no question he's going to be ready.'
Armstrong also joked that Steen loves the media, so 'he can't wait to do this.'
Steen was watching the news conference live and laughed when asked Friday about Armstrong saying that.
'It's not a passion of mine,' he said, chuckling. 'But the media in St. Louis has been so supportive of me since I first came (to St. Louis) — easy to work with and all that good stuff — so yeah, it's going to be great.'
What else is Steen looking forward to about the job, and what's he seen from the team this season? Here's a Q&A with the future GM:
(Note: Answers have been lightly edited for clarity and length.)
I saw you at almost every single practice and game this season. How important is it to be everywhere, and how has it helped you?
Steen: Well, I think you've got to be around to get your feel for everything. I think that's one of the most important things: being present. It's different having something explained to you as opposed to being there. I've been to Springfield (Mass., home of the Blues' AHL affiliate), I've been to the World Juniors, etc. It's been interesting for me to dig into all of these different areas of the organization. So as much as you can be around, it's only positive.'
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What are some things you've learned from Armstrong thus far, and if you were allowed to take one trait from him and make it yours, what would it be?
Steen: I would say his ability to take in everybody's perspective and opinion and sift through all of the information. It's impressive how he can compartmentalize quickly, jump to the next thing and then jump back. I feel like sometimes you want to finish something before you go on to the next thing. But he has an innate ability when he's in the middle of something to cut back and go to the next thing.
How is the GM-in-waiting arrangement working, as far as Armstrong making the decisions, but you being involved in the vision of the team?
Steen: Well, for me, this first year has been a lot of information-absorbing, learning from Doug, the staff, the coaches, the players and finding out how that rhythm works. Doug and I have worked together since 2010, and we've had a very strong relationship. How much we pushed each other back then as a player and manager, that hasn't changed. It's been more of my role changing. We've worked very closely with each other this year, so it's a lot of conversations back and forth before practice, after practice, before games, on the plane. I think having that previous relationship makes it more natural for us because he feels comfortable where he can push me. He'll say, 'This is how I think, and through my experiences, this is how things work out,' and then I can come in from a player's perspective. So the collaboration has been great.
GMs have to make difficult decisions, like the Blues changing coaches this season. Armstrong has made some bold ones over the years, and he always says that you have to take the emotion out. Is that something you're equipped to do, or something you learn?
Steen: Two things come to mind. The first part: Being a professional athlete, you don't connect yourself emotionally the same way other people do. The second part: At the end of the day, the job is to do what's best for the organization. If you feel like that's the decision, then that's the decision.
I'm kidding, but you would have had no problem trading your good friend Paul Stastny to the Winnipeg Jets in 2018 like Armstrong did?
Steen (laughing): Yeah, and offer-sheeting my mother!
Coming out of the 4 Nations tournament, it looked like it would be a challenge for the Blues to make the playoffs. What was it like to watch the team come together, and what's something that sticks out in your mind during the turnaround?
Steen: I think from the outside, you look for moments like that, and at the end of the day, it's a bunch of small, little moments that build up into those times. As a group, we understood the work that it takes, the investment you have to put in, and it's not just in one area — it's in all the areas. It's building up a mindset like we had at the end of the year, where it's serving each other, making each other better, leaving each other in a better place. To me, that's not sacrificing anything to do that. I'm not sacrificing anything to do it. I'm just trying to make this as great an environment as I can. So I would say it wasn't only a switch in mindset, but it's exciting, too, to watch them enjoy it. When you watch a team find that rhythm, it's so fun to be a part of. You can see the enthusiasm and the body language, and when we talk about St. Louis Blues fans and how intelligent they are, they've had hardworking teams here, so they've seen it and they know what it looks like. So when they see it, they're like, 'This is it!'
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I'm curious what lessons you took away from this season that you might put in your back pocket and keep in mind later in your GM career? Perhaps you'll be saying to yourself, 'Well, I remember in 2025 …'
Steen: Yeah, definitely, a lot of things. Observing the team, observing the staff and how changing one element of the team also changes another. Once we got aligned in how we wanted to conduct ourselves, things started to change. But I think every situation is unique. One season to the next is not going to be the same, and comparing one team to another team it's hard to do because the circumstances of every group are unique. But I learned a ton about that this season.
Did the way the second half of the season went — getting into the playoffs and going to Game 7 against the Jets — tell you that this team is further along than many thought? If so, why?
Steen: It's about where we thought we'd be, but the run excites me because it was a big moment. It's great to see the resiliency of the group, and for them to dig in like they dug in at the time. But we have to understand the amount of work and how much was put into what we got out. You can't expect to put 75 percent in and get 100 percent out. It's whatever you put in, you get out. So, going into this summer, we all have to find our areas where we can grow, and then we have to show up sharp and ready to go so that we can build off this momentum. I think everybody realizes the capability we have when we put our minds to it.
There are several GMs in the NHL today who played in the league: Chris Drury (New York Rangers), Mike Grier (San Jose Sharks), Craig Conroy (Calgary Flames), Pat Verbeek (Anaheim Ducks). Have you gotten any advice?
Steen: The hockey community is great, and I enjoy running into players that I played with who are now working in the league. I've certainly reached out to a lot of people around the league, including some in the same position. … I can't say there's one single person who's given me the single-most best advice, but I talk to a lot of people. Even going into this (position), it's not something that I just threw myself into. There were a lot of phone calls and a lot of conversations with people who've had this experience or a different experience. I'm very honored and humbled to be in this position with one of the greatest to ever do it (Armstrong) as a mentor, an ownership group that believes in me, all the people in the organization, and the city. This group has just done so much for me and my family, it's great for me to have the ability to try and make them proud.
You were born in Winnipeg but have Swedish citizenship through your father, Thomas, and played internationally for Sweden. Your former Blues teammate, Barret Jackman, who's given you a lot of grief over the years about your nationality, would want me to ask: Are you a Canadian GM or Swedish GM?
Steen (laughing): Just a GM!
You're well aware of the Blues' tradition in St. Louis? It's a loyal fan base, and you've got a big following after your career here, including the Stanley Cup. What's been the reaction of fans you've encountered this season?
Steen: What makes this city so great for me is that it's not about me. With the fans, it's, 'I'm so happy that the team …' and I agree. I share the same excitement. So it's the enthusiasm that I like the most. It's not about me. It's about the group, and that's why I feel this team thrives the most, because we have that partnership.
It's only a year away until you'll be taking over. Does it seem exciting? Scary?
Steen: I spend my time more on, 'What do I need to do to get myself ready and as prepared as I can be?' So today it's (media interviews), and I absorb it, and at the end of the day, I reflect on it. … Just prepare yourself. Spend your days getting ready and absorbing the information as much as I can do. And watch hockey!
The short answer is just prepare yourself. Spend your days getting ready. Absorb the information and conversations. … And watch hockey! Yeah, get ready!
And if you're caller ID says 'Ken Hitchcock,' don't answer it?
Steen (laughing): No, I answer that one about twice a week, still!