St. Louis Blues Move On from Drew Bannister, Welcome Jim Montgomery as New Head Coach

The St. Louis Blues have made a dramatic mid-season coaching change, parting ways with Drew Bannister just 22 games into the season. Bannister’s tenure, lasting less than a full calendar year, is one of the shortest ever for a full-time, non-interim head coach in NHL history. With the team’s record at 9-12-1, the Blues have turned to Jim Montgomery, who was hired just five days after being dismissed by the Boston Bruins. This abrupt move sheds light on both the precarious nature of NHL coaching and the growing scrutiny on teams like the Bruins, whose management has recently cycled through elite head coaches with alarming frequency.

Bannister’s Short-Lived Tenure

When Drew Bannister was hired as head coach, he was expected to bring stability and a fresh perspective to the Blues. However, his time behind the bench lasted only 22 games which is a span that now stands as one of the shortest for a full-time NHL coach not serving in an interim role.

The team’s underwhelming start to the season, characterized by inconsistent play and mounting losses, ultimately sealed Bannister’s fate. While the decision to part ways with a coach this quickly is unusual, it underscores the immense pressure NHL teams face to deliver results. For Bannister, this move is a harsh but not uncommon reality of professional sports, where even talented coaches are often scapegoated for broader team struggles.

Enter Jim Montgomery

In a bold and rapid response to Bannister’s dismissal, the Blues named Jim Montgomery as their new head coach. The move is particularly striking, as Montgomery was fired by the Boston Bruins just five days earlier. Despite his departure from Boston, Montgomery remains highly regarded in coaching circles, having built a strong reputation for fostering team culture and achieving results.

Montgomery steps into a challenging situation with the Blues, inheriting a roster that has yet to find its footing this season amidst injuries and inconsistencies. The hope is that his experience and leadership will provide the spark needed to turn things around. However, taking over mid-season presents its own set of challenges, as time to implement new systems and philosophies is limited.

A Pattern Emerging in Boston

Montgomery’s swift re-hiring is part of a curious trend involving the Boston Bruins. Over the past several years, the Bruins have dismissed three head coaches—Claude Julien, Bruce Cassidy, and now Jim Montgomery. Remarkably, all three were hired as head coaches by other NHL teams within a week of their dismissal.

This pattern raises questions about the decision making of Bruins management, led by general manager Don Sweeney and team president Cam Neely. While the Bruins have remained competitive on the ice, their revolving door of head coaches points to a deeper issue in their leadership strategy.

At some point, the spotlight will shift to Sweeney and Neely, who have so far avoided significant blame for the team’s struggles. With their coaching changes consistently leading to quick success elsewhere, the pressure is mounting for them to demonstrate accountability.

The Brutal Life of an NHL Head Coach

The Blues decision to fire Bannister so early in the season highlights the brutal reality of being an NHL head coach. In a league where performance is everything, coaches are often the first to shoulder the blame when things go wrong.

Unlike players, whose long-term contracts provide stability, or front office executives, who often operate behind the scenes, coaches are in the spotlight and face the consequences of poor team performance. Their fate is frequently tied to short-term results, leaving little room for long-term development or system building.

For teams in turmoil, firing a coach is the simplest and most immediate way to shake up the locker room or signal a fresh start. However, it’s not always the right solution. The constant turnover in coaching positions across the NHL has made long-term tenures increasingly rare, with only a handful of coaches managing to stay with one team for more than a few seasons.

A High-Stakes Gamble for the Blues

By hiring Montgomery, the Blues are taking a calculated risk. As a veteran coach, Montgomery brings experience and a proven ability to lead, but he’ll need to adapt quickly to a team in flux. The pressure to deliver results will be immense, particularly with the Blues already in a tough spot in the standings.

For St. Louis, this coaching change is a gamble, one that reflects both the urgency to salvage their season and the broader challenges of building sustainable success in the NHL. As the Blues navigate this transition, the move also serves as a reminder of the unforgiving nature of professional sports, where even brief struggles can lead to drastic changes.

Final Thoughts

While Montgomery begins a new chapter with the Blues, questions linger about the Bruins management. Sweeney and Neely, despite overseeing a consistently competitive team, have now seen three of their dismissed coaches immediately succeed elsewhere. At some point, their decision making will face increased scrutiny, particularly if the Bruins performance falters more in the wake of yet another coaching change.

For the Blues, the hope is that Montgomery can provide stability and spark a turnaround. But as history shows, coaching changes are no guarantee of success. Only time will tell if this move propels the Blues back into contention, or if the search for answers continues.