Succession of the Blues

(Photo by Getty Images, 2019)

In a press conference today, the St. Louis Blues detailed their front office plan to the public. Owner, Chairman, and Governor Tom Stillman was joined by President of Hockey Operations and GM Doug Armstrong, and European Player Development Consultant Alexander Steen.

First, it was announced that Armstrong signed a three-year extension to remain as the President of Hockey Operations through the 2028-29 season. Armstrong is the longest-tenured and winningest General Manager in Blues history, according to NHL.com. He is currently in his 15th season at the helm of the Blues franchise, built the team which captured the Stanley Cup in 2019, and won the Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year award in 2012. The team has made the postseason in 10 out of his 14 seasons.

Second, it was announced that Alexander Steen has been made a special assistant to the General Manager through the 2025-26 season, and in conclusion of this role, become the 12th general manager in franchise history. He spent the 2023-24 season analyzing Blues prospects playing in Europe, to serve the development of the program. Steen played 15 seasons in the NHL, including 765 games played with the St. Louis Blues, where he played in all 26 postseason games in the 2018-19 season, winning the Stanley Cup. He would then retire at the conclusion of the following season.

This past season, the Blues went 43-33-6, for 92 points and finished 5th in the Central Division. They missed the postseason for the second consecutive season.