The St. Louis Blues made one other teaching change virtually a yr in the past once they fired Craig Berube. Nevertheless, this time, the Blues fired Berube’s substitute, Drew Bannister, in favor of Jim Montgomery, a just lately fired coach from Boston.
NHL Information: Boston Bruins Fireplace Head Coach Jim Montgomery
5 days in the past, the Bruins group let Montgomery go, and there have been rumblings about the place he might land. Perhaps he could be an assistant with a crew in his hometown. However most speculated he could be behind the bench once more as the pinnacle man.
No one thought it could be this fast. Drew Bannister received 22 video games because the Blues’ official head coach. Bear in mind, when he took over, basic supervisor Doug Armstrong solely made Bannister the interim head coach. Whereas the Blues fell in need of the playoffs by six factors, Armstrong in all probability thought Bannister was not the man.
So it begs the query and makes you surprise if the Blues needed Jim Montgomery all alongside. Given what Armstrong mentioned yesterday, it is sensible when you actually give it some thought.
This goes again to final spring. Once more, it doesn’t really feel like Bannister was the man as a result of Armstrong needed a veteran coach in there from the beginning. However that man didn’t grow to be obtainable. Whether or not it was Mike Sullivan from Pittsburgh, Montgomery from Boston, Gerard Gallant, Jay Woodcroft, or Todd McLellan, Armstrong needed a veteran man there.
Nice to see that he received a long run deal w/ the Blues. you virtually surprise if the Blues needed a veteran coach like a Sullivan had #letsgopens made a transfer on the finish of final yr. Hypothesis by me however you surprise w/ this transfer. #stlblues @myNHLTradeRumor @FullPressNHL @TheRGMedia https://t.co/GeGcRQXulH
— Jim Biringer (@JimBiringer) November 24, 2024
There was hypothesis that the Blues had been eyeing Montgomery relationship again to the Toronto Maple Leafs first-round playoff sequence in opposition to the Bruins. Had Boston not gained Sport 7 in additional time, the sensation was that Jim Montgomery could be fired, and St. Louis would rent him.
NHL Rumors: Did the Boston Bruins Need To Lengthen Jim Montgomery
The timeline of occasions is sensible. Drew Bannister was promoted to full-time coach on Could eighth, three days after the Bruins beat the Maple Leafs. Montgomery saved his job in the intervening time.
Then the minute the man you need is fired, you begin working the telephones to get him there. So it was clear from the beginning that Armstrong needed Montgomery. Plus, Armstrong had some alternative phrases about his admiration for Montgomery and what he might do at Sunday’s press convention.
Military: “After I awoke Wednesday morning, there was no inclination to make a training change. When Jim received let go in Boston, (he) definitely was somebody I’ve revered, somebody I admired, somebody I felt had all of the attributes to be a long-term coach for the Blues. (MORE)
— Jeremy Rutherford (@jprutherford) November 24, 2024
Military: “This was extra of a chance to get somebody of Jim’s caliber than anything. This resolution was primarily based, I’d say, virtually one hundred pc on having somebody of Jim’s caliber grow to be obtainable once I didn’t know that was going to occur.” #stlblues
— Jeremy Rutherford (@jprutherford) November 24, 2024
It appears that evidently NHL Basic Managers as of late are being extra trustworthy. Armstrong felt he wanted somebody like Jim Montgomery to show the Blues round, however the timing was odd and unusual. Once more, it makes you surprise.
Nearly makes you surprise concerning the studies earlier and what I needed to say a few veteran coach. They needed him again in Could and this solely confirms it. If Boston misplaced Monty in all probability a St Louis Blue within the spring and never now #stlblues @FullPressNHL @myNHLTradeRumor @TheRGMedia https://t.co/WjFYz4kDVQ
— Jim Biringer (@JimBiringer) November 24, 2024
There have been studies that Montgomery and the Bruins had been engaged on a deal. Once more, particulars of what the deal was or wouldn’t have been outlined, however the Bruins didn’t wish to provide him a long-term deal. That questions whether or not Boston needed to maintain Jim Montgomery as their head coach. And did Montgomery actually wish to stick with no say within the roster and coaches?
It seems like Bannister didn’t get a good shake with a roster that suffered losses to Philip Broberg and Robert Thomas. The goaltending has been subpar these days, however this roster and group of gamers virtually made the playoffs final season.
NHL Rumors: St. Louis Blues, and the Chicago Blackhawks
Was it the coach’s fault, or did the overall supervisor’s primary goal from final yr grow to be obtainable and he swooped in to get the man he needed? It feels just like the latter in order that he might have Jim Montgomery and Claude Julien on the bench.
If the studies are proper, Bannister simply saved the seat heat till Doug Armstrong might discover Jim Montgomery. He did, and now he has his man for 5 years.
Have you ever subscribed to our YouTube channel? It’s new and we’re simply getting began. Rumor roundups and scorching matters from across the league.
