Say Hello to Doug Armstrong

[MiamiLaw]

Army was very good building the Cup team and I'll always credit him as a Blues legend for that, but since the Cup, he has made many questionable moves and given out several questionable contracts. The bad has outweighed the good during that stretch for sure and the product we are seeing is a result of that.

[a smell of green grass]

Our best players are nowhere near as good as the best players on the vast majority of other teams. We have 2 players in the TOP100, 75+ and those 2 players DISAPPEARED in the playoffs. This is not acceptable. This is not good for the city of St Louis.

If Army said that the team is going to play the rookies UNTIL THEY FIND THAT PLAYER, I would be behind him 100%. Conversely, I will never stop complaining while Army stays in "stay competitive" mode. They need to operate like every other NHL franchise, and be happy to get their TOP5 pick--IF THAT IS HOW THE CHIPS FALL from playing their younger players.

I would bet that the stay competitive plan comes from above versus Armstrong himself. Nevertheless, I have no way to fire Blues Management, so I will lob tomatoes at their mouthpiece, Doug Armstrong.

My message to Doug:
Staying competitive is killing the team. You know it. Everyone knows it. Resign for the good of hockey in St Louis. This would give us a chance to change direction.

[Bacchk29]

Army, Top 10 in wins all time as a GM. Top 5 in Win percentage amongst the 50 most winning GMs. Brought the Blues a Stanley Cup. Blues are top 5 in the west in wins since Army has been GM. Last 10 years third in the west, 7th overall in wins.

Man this guy is so bad at his job!

Please stop trying to justify now by reciting his career accomplishments. Now is what’s matters the game passes people by. Accept it.

What part is only career accomplishments? Last 10 years not a sufficient enough timeframe for you? How old are you? How long have you been watching the Blues? Track records are pretty indicative of future results. Much more reliable than feelings.

Last 5 years the Blues are 15th in the league and 8th in the west. That's "playoff hockey" over a 5 year span. A lot of fan bases will take that every day of the week.

My age is irrelevant to the conversation and I’ve been following the game for 45 years. You contradict yourself and make my point when you talk about the last 5 years. It’s middle of the pack and this as a fanbase we should be content with. The game can be entertaining as well as successful. Tell a season ticket holder he or she should be happy with “average”.

[callitwhatyouwant]

Army, Top 10 in wins all time as a GM. Top 5 in Win percentage amongst the 50 most winning GMs. Brought the Blues a Stanley Cup. Blues are top 5 in the west in wins since Army has been GM. Last 10 years third in the west, 7th overall in wins.

Man this guy is so bad at his job!

Please stop trying to justify now by reciting his career accomplishments. Now is what’s matters the game passes people by. Accept it.

What part is only career accomplishments? Last 10 years not a sufficient enough timeframe for you? How old are you? How long have you been watching the Blues? Track records are pretty indicative of future results. Much more reliable than feelings.

Last 5 years the Blues are 15th in the league and 8th in the west. That's "playoff hockey" over a 5 year span. A lot of fan bases will take that every day of the week.

My age is irrelevant to the conversation and I’ve been following the game for 45 years. You contradict yourself and make my point when you talk about the last 5 years. It’s middle of the pack and this as a fanbase we should be content with. The game can be entertaining as well as successful. Tell a season ticket holder he or she should be happy with “average”.

I meant you are acting like a child who lives in the I want it now mentality. It's the same reason why fans scream for coaches to get fired and then rinse and repeat before realizing that there could be some other fundamental problem happening. Or expectations are unrealistically too high (this more applies to college) for your recruiting potential.

If you think there aren't 25 other orgs that would call Army up first minute if he was fired, you aren't paying attention to the league and again have unreal expectations. I put the last 5 years up there because even tho you guys act like we are bottom 5 team year in and year out with this hyperbole, the team in fact is in the top half of the league.

[son_of_foolsgold]

Our best players are nowhere near as good as the best players on the vast majority of other teams. We have 2 players in the TOP100, 75+ and those 2 players DISAPPEARED in the playoffs. This is not acceptable. This is not good for the city of St Louis.

If Army said that the team is going to play the rookies UNTIL THEY FIND THAT PLAYER, I would be behind him 100%. Conversely, I will never stop complaining while Army stays in "stay competitive" mode. They need to operate like every other NHL franchise, and be happy to get their TOP5 pick--IF THAT IS HOW THE CHIPS FALL from playing their younger players.

I would bet that the stay competitive plan comes from above versus Armstrong himself. Nevertheless, I have no way to fire Blues Management, so I will lob tomatoes at their mouthpiece, Doug Armstrong.

My message to Doug:
Staying competitive is killing the team. You know it. Everyone knows it. Resign for the good of hockey in St Louis. This would give us a chance to change direction.

Army is going to be forced to re-build now whether he likes it or not. Except now it is going to be more painful since he delayed it 3 years longer than he should have.

[a smell of green grass]

Our best players are nowhere near as good as the best players on the vast majority of other teams. We have 2 players in the TOP100, 75+ and those 2 players DISAPPEARED in the playoffs. This is not acceptable. This is not good for the city of St Louis.

If Army said that the team is going to play the rookies UNTIL THEY FIND THAT PLAYER, I would be behind him 100%. Conversely, I will never stop complaining while Army stays in "stay competitive" mode. They need to operate like every other NHL franchise, and be happy to get their TOP5 pick--IF THAT IS HOW THE CHIPS FALL from playing their younger players.

I would bet that the stay competitive plan comes from above versus Armstrong himself. Nevertheless, I have no way to fire Blues Management, so I will lob tomatoes at their mouthpiece, Doug Armstrong.

My message to Doug:
Staying competitive is killing the team. You know it. Everyone knows it. Resign for the good of hockey in St Louis. This would give us a chance to change direction.

Army is going to be forced to re-build now whether he likes it or not. Except now it is going to be more painful since he delayed it 3 years longer than he should have.

I hope that you are right, but I would not guess that. I see the Blues doing what they need to do to "stay competitive". This means, look for old veterans coming in to improve the Won-Loss record by year end.

[callitwhatyouwant]

Our best players are nowhere near as good as the best players on the vast majority of other teams. We have 2 players in the TOP100, 75+ and those 2 players DISAPPEARED in the playoffs. This is not acceptable. This is not good for the city of St Louis.

If Army said that the team is going to play the rookies UNTIL THEY FIND THAT PLAYER, I would be behind him 100%. Conversely, I will never stop complaining while Army stays in "stay competitive" mode. They need to operate like every other NHL franchise, and be happy to get their TOP5 pick--IF THAT IS HOW THE CHIPS FALL from playing their younger players.

I would bet that the stay competitive plan comes from above versus Armstrong himself. Nevertheless, I have no way to fire Blues Management, so I will lob tomatoes at their mouthpiece, Doug Armstrong.

My message to Doug:
Staying competitive is killing the team. You know it. Everyone knows it. Resign for the good of hockey in St Louis. This would give us a chance to change direction.

Army is going to be forced to re-build now whether he likes it or not. Except now it is going to be more painful since he delayed it 3 years longer than he should have.

he traded away all the tradeable assets 3 years ago. They had 3 1st round draft picks which is a lot. They then signed 2 more in Hollywood and Broberg. They also traded for another in Dean (most likely not seeing this one). So in the last 3 years they have had 5 1st round picks and acquisition of 3 more 1st round evaluated players and another equivalent in LM. Just because this team is flailing, doesn't mean there isn't an influx of talent coming.

Not to mention the Blues had the most of any franchise participants at the World Juniors last year with 9. Their farm system is extremely robust at the moment and seemingly the players are individually progressing well. Patience is a virtue some might say.

[Bacchk29]

Army, Top 10 in wins all time as a GM. Top 5 in Win percentage amongst the 50 most winning GMs. Brought the Blues a Stanley Cup. Blues are top 5 in the west in wins since Army has been GM. Last 10 years third in the west, 7th overall in wins.

Man this guy is so bad at his job!

Please stop trying to justify now by reciting his career accomplishments. Now is what’s matters the game passes people by. Accept it.

What part is only career accomplishments? Last 10 years not a sufficient enough timeframe for you? How old are you? How long have you been watching the Blues? Track records are pretty indicative of future results. Much more reliable than feelings.

Last 5 years the Blues are 15th in the league and 8th in the west. That's "playoff hockey" over a 5 year span. A lot of fan bases will take that every day of the week.

My age is irrelevant to the conversation and I’ve been following the game for 45 years. You contradict yourself and make my point when you talk about the last 5 years. It’s middle of the pack and this as a fanbase we should be content with. The game can be entertaining as well as successful. Tell a season ticket holder he or she should be happy with “average”.

I meant you are acting like a child who lives in the I want it now mentality. It's the same reason why fans scream for coaches to get fired and then rinse and repeat before realizing that there could be some other fundamental problem happening. Or expectations are unrealistically too high (this more applies to college) for your recruiting potential.

If you think there aren't 25 other orgs that would call Army up first minute if he was fired, you aren't paying attention to the league and again have unreal expectations. I put the last 5 years up there because even tho you guys act like we are bottom 5 team year in and year out with this hyperbole, the team in fact is in the top half of the league.

Because I want the franchise to be better than average I’m acting like a child, huh. Most sensible people follow a team because they would like to have a reasonable chance at winning a title, not just being happy with making the playoffs. Don’t really care about other orgs wanting to hire Army. It’s hilarious that you get your panties in a bunch because some of us want to move on from a GM who’s been here 15 years and won A CUP. Not multiple but ONE! He’s responsible for the roster build.

[MiamiLaw]

Our best players are nowhere near as good as the best players on the vast majority of other teams. We have 2 players in the TOP100, 75+ and those 2 players DISAPPEARED in the playoffs. This is not acceptable. This is not good for the city of St Louis.

If Army said that the team is going to play the rookies UNTIL THEY FIND THAT PLAYER, I would be behind him 100%. Conversely, I will never stop complaining while Army stays in "stay competitive" mode. They need to operate like every other NHL franchise, and be happy to get their TOP5 pick--IF THAT IS HOW THE CHIPS FALL from playing their younger players.

I would bet that the stay competitive plan comes from above versus Armstrong himself. Nevertheless, I have no way to fire Blues Management, so I will lob tomatoes at their mouthpiece, Doug Armstrong.

My message to Doug:
Staying competitive is killing the team. You know it. Everyone knows it. Resign for the good of hockey in St Louis. This would give us a chance to change direction.

Army is going to be forced to re-build now whether he likes it or not. Except now it is going to be more painful since he delayed it 3 years longer than he should have.

he traded away all the tradeable assets 3 years ago. They had 3 1st round draft picks which is a lot. They then signed 2 more in Hollywood and Broberg. They also traded for another in Dean (most likely not seeing this one). So in the last 3 years they have had 5 1st round picks and acquisition of 3 more 1st round evaluated players and another equivalent in LM. Just because this team is flailing, doesn't mean there isn't an influx of talent coming.

Not to mention the Blues had the most of any franchise participants at the World Juniors last year with 9. Their farm system is extremely robust at the moment and seemingly the players are individually progressing well. Patience is a virtue some might say.

I'm not saying having tons of WJC guys should be looked at as a bad thing at all, but it is a bit misleading because the Blues have a lot of prospects from weaker countries internationally so it was easier for those guys to make a team. Again, not a knock but it isn't like they had 9 guys playing for the Big 4.

[son_of_foolsgold]

Our best players are nowhere near as good as the best players on the vast majority of other teams. We have 2 players in the TOP100, 75+ and those 2 players DISAPPEARED in the playoffs. This is not acceptable. This is not good for the city of St Louis.

If Army said that the team is going to play the rookies UNTIL THEY FIND THAT PLAYER, I would be behind him 100%. Conversely, I will never stop complaining while Army stays in "stay competitive" mode. They need to operate like every other NHL franchise, and be happy to get their TOP5 pick--IF THAT IS HOW THE CHIPS FALL from playing their younger players.

I would bet that the stay competitive plan comes from above versus Armstrong himself. Nevertheless, I have no way to fire Blues Management, so I will lob tomatoes at their mouthpiece, Doug Armstrong.

My message to Doug:
Staying competitive is killing the team. You know it. Everyone knows it. Resign for the good of hockey in St Louis. This would give us a chance to change direction.

Army is going to be forced to re-build now whether he likes it or not. Except now it is going to be more painful since he delayed it 3 years longer than he should have.

he traded away all the tradeable assets 3 years ago. They had 3 1st round draft picks which is a lot. They then signed 2 more in Hollywood and Broberg. They also traded for another in Dean (most likely not seeing this one). So in the last 3 years they have had 5 1st round picks and acquisition of 3 more 1st round evaluated players and another equivalent in LM. Just because this team is flailing, doesn't mean there isn't an influx of talent coming.

Not to mention the Blues had the most of any franchise participants at the World Juniors last year with 9. Their farm system is extremely robust at the moment and seemingly the players are individually progressing well. Patience is a virtue some might say.

Wrong!!! He re-signed Buchnevich where he should have traded him...he should have unloaded Parayko and Binnington 2-3 years ago....and also Schenn.

[callitwhatyouwant]

Our best players are nowhere near as good as the best players on the vast majority of other teams. We have 2 players in the TOP100, 75+ and those 2 players DISAPPEARED in the playoffs. This is not acceptable. This is not good for the city of St Louis.

If Army said that the team is going to play the rookies UNTIL THEY FIND THAT PLAYER, I would be behind him 100%. Conversely, I will never stop complaining while Army stays in "stay competitive" mode. They need to operate like every other NHL franchise, and be happy to get their TOP5 pick--IF THAT IS HOW THE CHIPS FALL from playing their younger players.

I would bet that the stay competitive plan comes from above versus Armstrong himself. Nevertheless, I have no way to fire Blues Management, so I will lob tomatoes at their mouthpiece, Doug Armstrong.

My message to Doug:
Staying competitive is killing the team. You know it. Everyone knows it. Resign for the good of hockey in St Louis. This would give us a chance to change direction.

Army is going to be forced to re-build now whether he likes it or not. Except now it is going to be more painful since he delayed it 3 years longer than he should have.

he traded away all the tradeable assets 3 years ago. They had 3 1st round draft picks which is a lot. They then signed 2 more in Hollywood and Broberg. They also traded for another in Dean (most likely not seeing this one). So in the last 3 years they have had 5 1st round picks and acquisition of 3 more 1st round evaluated players and another equivalent in LM. Just because this team is flailing, doesn't mean there isn't an influx of talent coming.

Not to mention the Blues had the most of any franchise participants at the World Juniors last year with 9. Their farm system is extremely robust at the moment and seemingly the players are individually progressing well. Patience is a virtue some might say.

I'm not saying having tons of WJC guys should be looked at as a bad thing at all, but it is a bit misleading because the Blues have a lot of prospects from weaker countries internationally so it was easier for those guys to make a team. Again, not a knock but it isn't like they had 9 guys playing for the Big 4.

it's a valid point. I would agree if it was in isolation. But those players also performed well on the stage. So against the top competition in their age bracket, they were successful. That has to be a trend towards something positive over a negative. If they were just JAGs then it would be different and I'd 100 percent agree with you that the stat is meaningless.

[Bacchk29]

Our best players are nowhere near as good as the best players on the vast majority of other teams. We have 2 players in the TOP100, 75+ and those 2 players DISAPPEARED in the playoffs. This is not acceptable. This is not good for the city of St Louis.

If Army said that the team is going to play the rookies UNTIL THEY FIND THAT PLAYER, I would be behind him 100%. Conversely, I will never stop complaining while Army stays in "stay competitive" mode. They need to operate like every other NHL franchise, and be happy to get their TOP5 pick--IF THAT IS HOW THE CHIPS FALL from playing their younger players.

I would bet that the stay competitive plan comes from above versus Armstrong himself. Nevertheless, I have no way to fire Blues Management, so I will lob tomatoes at their mouthpiece, Doug Armstrong.

My message to Doug:
Staying competitive is killing the team. You know it. Everyone knows it. Resign for the good of hockey in St Louis. This would give us a chance to change direction.

Army is going to be forced to re-build now whether he likes it or not. Except now it is going to be more painful since he delayed it 3 years longer than he should have.

he traded away all the tradeable assets 3 years ago. They had 3 1st round draft picks which is a lot. They then signed 2 more in Hollywood and Broberg. They also traded for another in Dean (most likely not seeing this one). So in the last 3 years they have had 5 1st round picks and acquisition of 3 more 1st round evaluated players and another equivalent in LM. Just because this team is flailing, doesn't mean there isn't an influx of talent coming.

Not to mention the Blues had the most of any franchise participants at the World Juniors last year with 9. Their farm system is extremely robust at the moment and seemingly the players are individually progressing well. Patience is a virtue some might say.

I'm not saying having tons of WJC guys should be looked at as a bad thing at all, but it is a bit misleading because the Blues have a lot of prospects from weaker countries internationally so it was easier for those guys to make a team. Again, not a knock but it isn't like they had 9 guys playing for the Big 4.

it's a valid point. I would agree if it was in isolation. But those players also performed well on the stage. So against the top competition in their age bracket, they were successful. That has to be a trend towards something positive over a negative. If they were just JAGs then it would be different and I'd 100 percent agree with you that the stat is meaningless.

You used Zach Dean as an example of Army’s great acquisitions. You mean the same Dean who’s in the witness protection program with the NHL who hasn’t played a meaningful minute with the Blues since the trade? Giving away Barbashev for what amounts to nothing doesn’t help your case.

[netboy65]

Our best players are nowhere near as good as the best players on the vast majority of other teams. We have 2 players in the TOP100, 75+ and those 2 players DISAPPEARED in the playoffs. This is not acceptable. This is not good for the city of St Louis.

If Army said that the team is going to play the rookies UNTIL THEY FIND THAT PLAYER, I would be behind him 100%. Conversely, I will never stop complaining while Army stays in "stay competitive" mode. They need to operate like every other NHL franchise, and be happy to get their TOP5 pick--IF THAT IS HOW THE CHIPS FALL from playing their younger players.

I would bet that the stay competitive plan comes from above versus Armstrong himself. Nevertheless, I have no way to fire Blues Management, so I will lob tomatoes at their mouthpiece, Doug Armstrong.

My message to Doug:
Staying competitive is killing the team. You know it. Everyone knows it. Resign for the good of hockey in St Louis. This would give us a chance to change direction.

Army is going to be forced to re-build now whether he likes it or not. Except now it is going to be more painful since he delayed it 3 years longer than he should have.

he traded away all the tradeable assets 3 years ago. They had 3 1st round draft picks which is a lot. They then signed 2 more in Hollywood and Broberg. They also traded for another in Dean (most likely not seeing this one). So in the last 3 years they have had 5 1st round picks and acquisition of 3 more 1st round evaluated players and another equivalent in LM. Just because this team is flailing, doesn't mean there isn't an influx of talent coming.

Not to mention the Blues had the most of any franchise participants at the World Juniors last year with 9. Their farm system is extremely robust at the moment and seemingly the players are individually progressing well. Patience is a virtue some might say.

Wrong!!! He re-signed Buchnevich where he should have traded him...he should have unloaded Parayko and Binnington 2-3 years ago....and also Schenn.

3 years ago we were a 109 point team. No reason to dismantle that team.

[Bacchk29]

Our best players are nowhere near as good as the best players on the vast majority of other teams. We have 2 players in the TOP100, 75+ and those 2 players DISAPPEARED in the playoffs. This is not acceptable. This is not good for the city of St Louis.

If Army said that the team is going to play the rookies UNTIL THEY FIND THAT PLAYER, I would be behind him 100%. Conversely, I will never stop complaining while Army stays in "stay competitive" mode. They need to operate like every other NHL franchise, and be happy to get their TOP5 pick--IF THAT IS HOW THE CHIPS FALL from playing their younger players.

I would bet that the stay competitive plan comes from above versus Armstrong himself. Nevertheless, I have no way to fire Blues Management, so I will lob tomatoes at their mouthpiece, Doug Armstrong.

My message to Doug:
Staying competitive is killing the team. You know it. Everyone knows it. Resign for the good of hockey in St Louis. This would give us a chance to change direction.

Army is going to be forced to re-build now whether he likes it or not. Except now it is going to be more painful since he delayed it 3 years longer than he should have.

he traded away all the tradeable assets 3 years ago. They had 3 1st round draft picks which is a lot. They then signed 2 more in Hollywood and Broberg. They also traded for another in Dean (most likely not seeing this one). So in the last 3 years they have had 5 1st round picks and acquisition of 3 more 1st round evaluated players and another equivalent in LM. Just because this team is flailing, doesn't mean there isn't an influx of talent coming.

Not to mention the Blues had the most of any franchise participants at the World Juniors last year with 9. Their farm system is extremely robust at the moment and seemingly the players are individually progressing well. Patience is a virtue some might say.

Wrong!!! He re-signed Buchnevich where he should have traded him...he should have unloaded Parayko and Binnington 2-3 years ago....and also Schenn.

3 years ago we were a 109 point team. No reason to dismantle that team.

Not to mention we didn’t have options to trade any of those guys anyway.

[MandatoryDenial]

From the Athletic:

“I certainly respect and read and understand the angst of the fans,” Armstrong said. “But our goal is to do what’s best for (Mailloux) and the organization, and while there could be support for him to go down and play well, there could be negativity. But you can’t really make your decisions based on public perception. I think this is best for him and the Blues and that’s why we’re doing it.”

Opti

I haven’t understood this trade since it was made and from the very beginning have stated that we didn’t get enough but what is done is done. I hope they will get a guy with a track record of turning around dmen. Then send him with Mailloux and work with him defensively. He will never be the player we need him to be without guidance, give him every chance to realize that potential we need. Pay this guy whatever it takes, send him with Mailloux, and have him work with Mailloux and Lidstein.

[Moberly Blues]

Army has done fine and well respected,we could have a GM as ignorant as Theo Grace.