St. Louis Blues hire Jim Montgomery after firing Drew Bannister following disappointing season start

The St. Louis Blues have dismissed head coach Drew Bannister and appointed Jim Montgomery as his replacement. The move comes after a disappointing start to the season, with the Blues losing 13 of their first 22 games under Bannister. Blues president and general manager Doug Armstrong confirmed the decision Sunday and is scheduled to address reporters in a video call.

Bannister, who succeeded Stanley Cup-winning coach Craig Berube last season, struggled to replicate the team’s prior success. Armstrong’s decision to part ways with Bannister underscores the urgency to address the team’s performance and keep its championship window open.

Montgomery, a seasoned NHL coach, previously served as an assistant under Berube and has a career record of 180-84-33, with a .659 points percentage—one of the best in league history. Most recently, Montgomery was head coach for the Boston Bruins but was let go after a rough start to their season. Now signed to a five-year contract with the Blues, Montgomery is set to bring his experience and leadership back to St. Louis.

The Blues have been proactive in reshaping their roster to maintain competitiveness, signing restricted free agents Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway and acquiring players from rival teams. Montgomery’s appointment complements these moves, signaling the team’s determination to rebound.

“As Bannister struggled to maintain consistency, Montgomery’s proven leadership offers hope for a renewed direction,” Armstrong explained. Montgomery will join the team in New York on Monday, aiming to reinvigorate the Blues and steer them toward success in the remainder of the season.