Blues teammates celebrate St. Louis Blues defenseman Philip Broberg’s (6) goal during Playoff Game 6 against the Winnipeg Jets on Mar. 2 at Enterprise Center. (Source: West Newsmagazine/Lou Countryman photo)
Lou Countryman
Doug Armstrong begins his final year as general manager for the St. Louis Blues. The 61-year-old Armstrong will give way to Alexander Steen after this season.
Armstrong will keep his position as president of hockey operations through the 2028-29 season. He signed a three-year extension in June 2024.
But after this season, Steen will be making the decisions for the team.
Armstrong is not overly sentimental about relinquishing his role as general manager, a job he’s held since 2012. He’s looking ahead at the coming season and what he can do to make the Blues successful.
“I haven’t spent a lot of time on that, really,” Armstrong said. “One of the things that we want to make sure we focus on is this year. You know, Alex and I worked together hand-in-hand last year. I don’t see anything being different this year.
“It is a little strange though, knowing that there is an expiration date. But that doesn’t affect this year’s team, and they expect us to do our best – and we’re going to do that. I’m looking forward to a good season.”
Armstrong has had a distinguished career with the Blues.
After five seasons as general manager (GM) of the Dallas Stars, he joined the Blues as director of player personnel in 2008.
Two years later, he became executive vice president of hockey operations in 2010 following the retirement of Larry Pleau.
He began his current dual role as president of hockey operations and general manager in 2014.
Under Armstrong’s leadership, St. Louis has won three Central Division titles, qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 11 of his 15 seasons.
The biggest highlight, of course, was the Blues winning their first Stanley Cup in 2019.
He wants to leave the Blues organization in good shape for Steen.
St. Louis missed just two postseasons, 2023 and 2024, before returning last season.
That was quicker than expected, as the Blues were undergoing change.
Of course, the season ended in a shocking way as St. Louis fell to the Winnipeg Jets in seven games of the Western Conference first-round series.
The Blues were ahead by two goals with 2 minutes to play and went on to a heartbreaking 4-3 loss in double overtime.
That result left Armstrong with mixed feelings.
“I’m excited about how quickly we’ve got back in the playoffs,” Armstrong said. “Disappointed, immensely disappointed how that ended. Hopefully, that’s a learning thing.”
He’s never been afraid to make big moves during his tenure.
Before last season began, he signed Edmonton’s Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg to offer sheets. That stunned the hockey world.
It worked as both players had solid seasons for the Blues.
Last season, Armstrong fired coach Drew Bannister and hired former St. Louis assistant Jim Montgomery, who had been fired by the Boston Bruins.
The Blues put together a 12-game winning streak in the season’s final month to earn a playoff berth.
It’s been a job Armstrong has loved doing. He knows there are ups and downs in sports.
He remains focused on keeping the organization headed in the right direction.
“You stay grounded,” Armstrong said. “The manager’s job is to look this year, three years ahead, five years ahead. I don’t have to look five years ahead. I’m excited about how quickly our players have responded to this and I’m excited about how some of our younger players have taken to this as a challenge, whether it’s a Jake Neighbours or a (Joel) Hofer or a (Tyler) Tucker, then you get Broberg and Holloway.
“They didn’t want to be part of a losing organization. They didn’t want that to become part of the norm.”
Armstrong still enjoys what he’s doing.
“I’m happy, excited, proud as an elder statesman of 60 years old working with these 20-year-olds,” Armstrong said. “I’m proud of them. I’m proud of what they’ve accomplished. But that doesn’t mean anything tomorrow. We’ve got to do it again and after next year, they’ve got to do it again. But there’s growth there.”
Armstrong is not making this season about him. It’s about the players.
“I say that with all seriousness. These players don’t care about me and what I’m going to do next year,” Armstrong said. “They just want to have a good year. They want to make money. They want to have a good season.
“They want to take Steener (Steen) to the woodshed contract-wise and I want to help them do that.”
Armstong is big believer in Steen, who played 12 of his 15 NHL seasons with the Blues. He advocated for him to take over as general manager.
“It started as a player,” Armstrong said. “There are certain guys you gravitate to and ask questions about your team and about what they’re doing. As players get older, they do reflect more differently on what they want out of the game. So, I’ve always had a lot of respect for Steener.”
Steen has been St. Louis’ European player development consultant since June 26, 2023. He retired from the NHL on Dec. 17, 2020, because of a back injury sustained the previous season.
Steen, who was selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round (No. 24) of the 2002 NHL Draft, had 622 points (245 goals, 377 assists) in 1,018 games for the Maple Leafs and Blues. He also had 36 points (15 goals, 21 assists) in 91 playoff games, including helping St. Louis win the Cup in 2019.