Armstrong to Toronto

[seattleblue]

It seems like some people may not realize that he becomes Steen's boss after this season.

I agree ... but it boils down to what he really wants to do, and I see some evidence he is both doing the smart thing (going out in this designed transition) and also consumed with competition, which has a way of changing people's minds about the ends of their career. Just saying.

Right and I agree with you. I am just pointing out that people seem to think he is retiring.

Well you pointed out correctly that according to the official plan he isn't actually retiring from the Blues once he's not GM, which does provide more of a barrier to going elsewhere, I just think that barrier is knocked down as soon as he changes his mind, which is a maybe. I mean here come the Olympics which is about to be incredible and he is helming the nation that needs to win. He's got his teeth sunk into a team on the rise in STL. The man is nowhere near a mindset of setting it down. He will be gunning it full throttle all year and so it's tough to picture the full prime as final act.

[b-a-a-a-rclay]

It seems like some people may not realize that he becomes Steen's boss after this season.

I agree ... but it boils down to what he really wants to do, and I see some evidence he is both doing the smart thing (going out in this designed transition) and also consumed with competition, which has a way of changing people's minds about the ends of their career. Just saying.

Right and I agree with you. I am just pointing out that people seem to think he is retiring.

Well you pointed out correctly that according to the official plan he isn't actually retiring from the Blues once he's not GM, which does provide more of a barrier to going elsewhere, I just think that barrier is knocked down as soon as he changes his mind, which is a maybe. I mean here come the Olympics which is about to be incredible and he is helming the nation that needs to win. He's got his teeth sunk into a team on the rise in STL. The man is nowhere near a mindset of setting it down. He will be gunning it full throttle all year and so it's tough to picture the full prime as final act.

I think he is going to immerse himself into President of Hockey Operations and see if that fits for at least a season. Steen will undoubtedly have ongoing conversations with DA throughout next season.

[Old_Goat]

It seems like some people may not realize that he becomes Steen's boss after this season. He has already signed a 3 year contract to become president of hockey operations for the Blues after this season.

That's correct and when that contract is up in 2027, the team and he both will probably agree to renew/continue him as President. We'll see what happens. It likely is not as work intensive as GM, not having to get mired into so many day-to-day details. IF HE wants, as Team President he could find it easier to also continue as GM for the Canadian Senior Championships team. As President he keeps a very highly visible involvement with the other senior leadership in the League. I would say at this stage of his career & accomplishments, he is thinking bigger than just a hometown. He can choose to travel where & when he wants and do the duties from almost anywhere.

[Sudsy 11]

I think it's a lot more likely than people expect. The man is alive with competition as we sit here right now. Nobody alive with competition wants to put it down

I'd love to see him take a shot at running the Maple Leafs. I'm pretty much the same age as Army (a few months younger). Imagine he has slowed down some and has trouble relating to the younger generation, but is still competetive and in many ways more knowledgable than ever.

[b-a-a-a-rclay]

I think it's a lot more likely than people expect. The man is alive with competition as we sit here right now. Nobody alive with competition wants to put it down

I'd love to see him take a shot at running the Maple Leafs. I'm pretty much the same age as Army (a few months younger). Imagine he has slowed down some and has trouble relating to the younger generation, but is still competetive and in many ways more knowledgable than ever.

I would think that President of Hockey Operations would satisfy his competitive urges for at least a year or two. Mentoring Steen while all of these prospects develop (that DA has investment in) seems like it could be fun. I'd think he would want a seat in the room when they inevitably decide which prospects to trade since there aren't enough spots for all those young forwards.

[SRV1990]

Army is not some hockey "whisperer." He won one Cup in fifteen years. Even then the Blues actually caught fire after being the worst team in the league. Army's in his 60's and has plenty of money for retirement. I'm sure he doesn't want another challenge at this point. Also, if this plan was in the works, why isn't Toronto approaching the Blues about buying him out of his contract? They aren't going to sit around until Army is ready to move.

No one has said he is some hockey "whisperer". But he's been one of the best GM's in the league over the last 15 years. As for Cup winning GM's, where does his one Cup as GM rank with other GMs over that same time frame? And how many GMs don't have a Cup in the last 15 years?

[STL fan in MN]

It seems like some people may not realize that he becomes Steen's boss after this season.

I agree ... but it boils down to what he really wants to do, and I see some evidence he is both doing the smart thing (going out in this designed transition) and also consumed with competition, which has a way of changing people's minds about the ends of their career. Just saying.

Right and I agree with you. I am just pointing out that people seem to think he is retiring.

Well you pointed out correctly that according to the official plan he isn't actually retiring from the Blues once he's not GM, which does provide more of a barrier to going elsewhere, I just think that barrier is knocked down as soon as he changes his mind, which is a maybe. I mean here come the Olympics which is about to be incredible and he is helming the nation that needs to win. He's got his teeth sunk into a team on the rise in STL. The man is nowhere near a mindset of setting it down. He will be gunning it full throttle all year and so it's tough to picture the full prime as final act.

I think he is going to immerse himself into President of Hockey Operations and see if that fits for at least a season. Steen will undoubtedly have ongoing conversations with DA throughout next season.

Immerse himself? Army’s already been President of Hockey Ops for the Blues for over a decade already. All he’s doing is transferring the lower of his 2 titles to Steen. And of course Steen will have conversations with Army. He’ll report to Army. My guess is Army will give Steen a lot of leeway but ultimately, Army will still be in charge.

[Hooking]

Give anyone enough money and I think they can put up with people on twitter telling them they are dumb.

[Sudsy 11]

I think it's a lot more likely than people expect. The man is alive with competition as we sit here right now. Nobody alive with competition wants to put it down

I'd love to see him take a shot at running the Maple Leafs. I'm pretty much the same age as Army (a few months younger). Imagine he has slowed down some and has trouble relating to the younger generation, but is still competetive and in many ways more knowledgable than ever.

I would think that President of Hockey Operations would satisfy his competitive urges for at least a year or two. Mentoring Steen while all of these prospects develop (that DA has investment in) seems like it could be fun. I'd think he would want a seat in the room when they inevitably decide which prospects to trade since there aren't enough spots for all those young forwards.

Yup, I meant after his contract expires with the Blues. He'll be busy with the Blues for a a few more years.

[b-a-a-a-rclay]

It seems like some people may not realize that he becomes Steen's boss after this season.

I think he is going to immerse himself into President of Hockey Operations and see if that fits for at least a season. Steen will undoubtedly have ongoing conversations with DA throughout next season.

Immerse himself? Army’s already been President of Hockey Ops for the Blues for over a decade already. All he’s doing is transferring the lower of his 2 titles to Steen. And of course Steen will have conversations with Army. He’ll report to Army. My guess is Army will give Steen a lot of leeway but ultimately, Army will still be in charge.

That's true. But now that title makes it clear that he is basically the head of everything in the organization (if there was any doubt). You and I are in complete agreement. My point is that I don't see any reason to think that he will be any less motivated or competitive after a title change that takes him into a new challenge of being somewhat of a mentor to Steen while DA continues to over-see basically everything Blues.

[seattleblue]

lol whoa ... none of these are my quotes ...

[STL fan in MN]

That's true. But now that title makes it clear that he is basically the head of everything in the organization (if there was any doubt). You and I are in complete agreement. My point is that I don't see any reason to think that he will be any less motivated or competitive after a title change that takes him into a new challenge of being somewhat of a mentor to Steen while DA continues to over-see basically everything Blues.

Fair enough. But again, he’s always already had that title and clearly been in charge. But agree he almost certainly won’t be any less motivated or involved and I have near zero interest in discussing him possibly leaving for Toronto and I don’t see that as a viable threat. At least not anytime soon. He just reupped here.

[b-a-a-a-rclay]

That's true. But now that title makes it clear that he is basically the head of everything in the organization (if there was any doubt). You and I are in complete agreement. My point is that I don't see any reason to think that he will be any less motivated or competitive after a title change that takes him into a new challenge of being somewhat of a mentor to Steen while DA continues to over-see basically everything Blues.

Fair enough. But again, he’s always already had that title and clearly been in charge. But agree he almost certainly won’t be any less motivated or involved and I have near zero interest in discussing him possibly leaving for Toronto and I don’t see that as a viable threat. At least not anytime soon. He just reupped here.

Bingo. The bolded part is the bottom line in this discussion.

[b-a-a-a-rclay]

lol whoa ... none of these are my quotes ...

Ha! You're right. I'm sorry. I was just trying to shorten the space all that re-quoting was taking up and I messed it up.

[seattleblue]

lol whoa ... none of these are my quotes ...

Ha! You're right. I'm sorry. I was just trying to shorten the space all that re-quoting was taking up and I messed it up.

not a problem lol I'm just glad it wasn't anything crazy or I'd have my ears full of yaps

[Nublues69]

It seems like some people may not realize that he becomes Steen's boss after this season. He has already signed a 3 year contract to become president of hockey operations for the Blues after this season.

That i didnt know. Thanks