Lots more quotes in the article, but here are the last few that really stood out to me:
Oshie: He just fits into what the St. Louis Blues are all about. He has the all-around mind to put a good team together because he did have so much success and he saw teams that were bad, teams that were good, what worked, what didn’t work. Because he was a player, he’ll have a great rapport with the guys in the room, the leaders and the coaching staff. He’ll get a feel for what the team needs and what it doesn’t.
Thomas: It’s a lot different now for us that played with him, just the type of relationship we have, but he’s still the same person. So, for the people that know him, there’s that instant sign of trust and belief, and for people who don’t know him, they’ll pick up on that really quickly. That’s what’s going to make it really special here.
O’Reilly: This city knows the kind of person he is and what he built here, knowing what it takes to have a successful organization. Playing with him, he was always direct and honest. At times, it wasn’t maybe what you wanted to hear, but it was the right thing. I think he’s always had a pulse on always doing the right thing, and that’s why they put him in the position to be the GM. He’s definitely earned it.
Allen: He cares so much about the St. Louis Blues. That’s No. 1. I think if it was a different job, I don’t know if he’d be in this situation. He always mentioned that he wanted to leave the jersey in a better spot than he found it, and I believe that’s the same mindset that he’s going to have as the GM. I’m sure he’s going to surround himself with great quality people he trusts. He’s one of the best guys in hockey, and I’m glad he’s steering that ship.
Bortuzzo: I don’t see how there’s any way there’s not a ton of success for him moving forward.
Maybe he succeeds as a GM, maybe he doesn’t. But watching him play, you could tell he was always one of the smartest players on the ice. That’s really what made him good - his hockey IQ. I do think there a high probability that translates well to a GM role.
Also, it’s clear how much he loves the ‘Note and STL. For me, that goes a long way.
Backesdraft wrote: ↑06 Jul 2026 14:08 pm
Maybe he succeeds as a GM, maybe he doesn’t. But watching him play, you could tell he was always one of the smartest players on the ice. That’s really what made him good - his hockey IQ. I do think there a high probability that translates well to a GM role.
Also, it’s clear how much he loves the ‘Note and STL. For me, that goes a long way.
Agreed. I also liked the "direct and honest" description from O'Reilly, and the "instant sign of trust" from Thomas. Sounds like someone players will be able to depend upon (contrary to the "Army has his favorites" narrative).
Lots more quotes in the article, but here are the last few that really stood out to me:
Oshie: He just fits into what the St. Louis Blues are all about. He has the all-around mind to put a good team together because he did have so much success and he saw teams that were bad, teams that were good, what worked, what didn’t work. Because he was a player, he’ll have a great rapport with the guys in the room, the leaders and the coaching staff. He’ll get a feel for what the team needs and what it doesn’t.
Thomas: It’s a lot different now for us that played with him, just the type of relationship we have, but he’s still the same person. So, for the people that know him, there’s that instant sign of trust and belief, and for people who don’t know him, they’ll pick up on that really quickly. That’s what’s going to make it really special here.
O’Reilly: This city knows the kind of person he is and what he built here, knowing what it takes to have a successful organization. Playing with him, he was always direct and honest. At times, it wasn’t maybe what you wanted to hear, but it was the right thing. I think he’s always had a pulse on always doing the right thing, and that’s why they put him in the position to be the GM. He’s definitely earned it.
Allen: He cares so much about the St. Louis Blues. That’s No. 1. I think if it was a different job, I don’t know if he’d be in this situation. He always mentioned that he wanted to leave the jersey in a better spot than he found it, and I believe that’s the same mindset that he’s going to have as the GM. I’m sure he’s going to surround himself with great quality people he trusts. He’s one of the best guys in hockey, and I’m glad he’s steering that ship.
Bortuzzo: I don’t see how there’s any way there’s not a ton of success for him moving forward.
Stastny: Everyone in the organization is excited.
Jackman: It’s going to be fun to watch.
Thanks for sharing.
I heard a story from Chris Kerber on the radio regarding Steen. He was training with the Sedins in the offseason, and in this particular story, he was performing the same workout routines for conditioning.
While putting in the sweat and effort on the bicycle, he happened to look over at the numbers on the monitor and was blown away. It was this “ah ha” moment, because while Steen felt he was putting in the work, he was able to assess the levels from former top picks turned top players in the league conditioning levels were at.
This is no knock on Doug, but it’s parroting something Armstrong stated during the introductory press conference. Alex lived that world. He was a player. He can relate to the guys in the locker room. Now, if he can combine that experience and skillset with the knowledge Doug has to offer, then we’ll be in very good hands.
An intelligent, reliable, consistent and valuable player. What also struck a chord with me regarding his leadership style is that he was one of the handful of players with the Philadelphia Mummers Brigade in their favorite bar after the game in January 2019, while they latched on to "GLORIA."
He grew up in the game. The elements are in place for him to be a good GM.
Who cares what guys who played professionally have to say I’d rather hear from guys sitting in their basement who have no idea what the professional game is really like even if they did play in peewees. They seem to have a lot more real knowledge.
So far so good. Steen knew the locker room and roster needed a guy like Johnston, holds players accountable "good in the room", big physical presence. This is an example of Steen imprinting what he feels is important to the roster
fish wrote: ↑07 Jul 2026 10:19 am
Who cares what guys who played professionally have to say I’d rather hear from guys sitting in their basement who have no idea what the professional game is really like even if they did play in peewees. They seem to have a lot more real knowledge.
fish wrote: ↑07 Jul 2026 10:19 am
Who cares what guys who played professionally have to say I’d rather hear from guys sitting in their basement who have no idea what the professional game is really like even if they did play in peewees. They seem to have a lot more real knowledge.
Then you’ve come to the right place fella.
We can provide that type of entertainment in BULK.
fish wrote: ↑07 Jul 2026 10:19 am
Who cares what guys who played professionally have to say I’d rather hear from guys sitting in their basement who have no idea what the professional game is really like even if they did play in peewees. They seem to have a lot more real knowledge.
Then you’ve come to the right place fella.
We can provide that type of entertainment in BULK.
Yeah, I’m pretty much amazed here on a daily basis
Alex is not the sexy choice for GM but he has all the qualities that made him a great player including desire and team first attributes that should certainly translate well into his management position.
He won't be asking anything of his players that he didn't or wouldn't do himself.
I think he has a very good shot to be a great GM and his peers seem to agree.
Old_Goat wrote: ↑07 Jul 2026 07:56 am
An intelligent, reliable, consistent and valuable player. What also struck a chord with me regarding his leadership style is that he was one of the handful of players with the Philadelphia Mummers Brigade in their favorite bar after the game in January 2019, while they latched on to "GLORIA."
He grew up in the game. The elements are in place for him to be a good GM.
What I loved about Steen is when Berube asked him to subjugate his ego to captain the 4th line between Barbeshev and Sunny - he did it. The Blues don't win the Cup without it. Hopefully he can keep a level head in contract negotiations and not take things personally like his predecessor did. And I hope to hell he doesn't trade too many draft picks since the strength of the organization is the amatuer scouting staff.
Old_Goat wrote: ↑07 Jul 2026 07:56 am
An intelligent, reliable, consistent and valuable player. What also struck a chord with me regarding his leadership style is that he was one of the handful of players with the Philadelphia Mummers Brigade in their favorite bar after the game in January 2019, while they latched on to "GLORIA."
He grew up in the game. The elements are in place for him to be a good GM.
What I loved about Steen is when Berube asked him to subjugate his ego to captain the 4th line between Barbeshev and Sunny - he did it. The Blues don't win the Cup without it. Hopefully he can keep a level head in contract negotiations and not take things personally like his predecessor did. And I hope to hell he doesn't trade too many draft picks since the strength of the organization is the amatuer scouting staff.
Yes...I commented on Steens character and experience as a player being so important but there is so much more.
But I'll stand by character as the number one factor. I figure that kind of person has the brain to meet the management challenges head on as well.
Old_Goat wrote: ↑07 Jul 2026 07:56 am
An intelligent, reliable, consistent and valuable player. What also struck a chord with me regarding his leadership style is that he was one of the handful of players with the Philadelphia Mummers Brigade in their favorite bar after the game in January 2019, while they latched on to "GLORIA."
He grew up in the game. The elements are in place for him to be a good GM.
What I loved about Steen is when Berube asked him to subjugate his ego to captain the 4th line between Barbeshev and Sunny - he did it. The Blues don't win the Cup without it. Hopefully he can keep a level head in contract negotiations and not take things personally like his predecessor did. And I hope to hell he doesn't trade too many draft picks since the strength of the organization is the amatuer scouting staff.
Old_Goat wrote: ↑07 Jul 2026 07:56 am
An intelligent, reliable, consistent and valuable player. What also struck a chord with me regarding his leadership style is that he was one of the handful of players with the Philadelphia Mummers Brigade in their favorite bar after the game in January 2019, while they latched on to "GLORIA."
He grew up in the game. The elements are in place for him to be a good GM.
What I loved about Steen is when Berube asked him to subjugate his ego to captain the 4th line between Barbeshev and Sunny - he did it. The Blues don't win the Cup without it. Hopefully he can keep a level head in contract negotiations and not take things personally like his predecessor did. And I hope to hell he doesn't trade too many draft picks since the strength of the organization is the amatuer scouting staff.
Not only that, he wasn't afraid to stand up for his teammates when they were unhappy with the coaching staff. To the point that it was reported that Bernie Federko and Steen had a yelling match with Bernie calling Steener "Coach Killer" after Yeo got fired.
