Is Doug Armstrong the Best GM in Blues History?

[SRV1990]

It's been 30days.
This again.

So in March you gave us.
Is Army a genius?

Which you answered:

"Not only has the man won a cup, is in the top 10 in all time wins as a GM holding one of the best win percentages of all time. But he manages to offer sheet 2 seemingly studs from a cup contending team for the cheap and these boys deliver. No one except a mad genius could see the production that Holloway is putting out there. The man must know his hockey. And to take it one step further, Fowler. How did this guy get a defender who was scoring 0 for peanuts and have him find the back of the net for 8 goals for the blues. AND on top of that, he finds a way to get Monty and locks him down long term when the Bruins deem him yesterday’s news.

Around 30 days later, in April. You gave us.
Is Army the GM of the year?
Which you answered.

"Listening to a couple hockey channels on youtube the past 24 hours, it seems the growing consensus is that Army will win the Jim Gregory GM of the year award. We obviously know his career numbers as he is top 10 in the league all time for wins, tops in the league for win percentage among GM's who have done the job more than 10 years, won a Stanley Cup, coveted in Canada etc etc etc.

But looking at the season in a vacuum as that is what the award is for. Is this one of the best GM jobs in history? The offer sheet play was the talk of the summer. It happened in a huge hockey lull and the Blues and Oilers became the top conversation for those who listen to hockey podcasts and news for a full week. Every day was a roller coaster with Edmonton fans saying these 2 were the best thing ever, then the next day when it looked like they were walking "these 2 are so overrated that money is stupid." rinse repeat for 7 days. Well it's fair to say like Rivers yesterday on 101, just give these guys 8x8 and be done with it. The gamble paid off. Take another gamble and you might have a huge steal 5 years from now. That is point 1.

Point 2 for Army was the hiring of Monty. This was a no brainer as we all saw this coming from last season but it seemed like an impossible task and bad timing for the Blues with Monty getting past the 1st round. The only thing that was difficult was Army had to fire a contracted coach and hire Monty. This was BOLD and not many GM's would do that. He had to convince Stillman and Co to buck up that extra money too.

Point 3 MASSIVE trade for Fowler while giving up peanuts. Blues basically got a free top pairing defensemen who is careering in half a season as a Blue. This goes to show that you can find good trades for vets from bad teams without giving up anything. People especially on this board called Fowler washed. He just had been playing on a bad team. Monty said that Fowler/Parayko pairing was the best pairing he had ever coached at any spot. Huge steal for the man Army

Point 4 Snuggy. Some posters on this board as well as a lot of posters on Reddit bought in that Snuggy didn't want to be here. He would never play for the Blues and would eventually sign with the Mild. That was pushed for over 2 years. Sure enough, Snuggy signs as a Blue for 3 seasons. I still remember earlier in the year. "What GM goes to the players house and has dinner with them if he isn't trying to convince him to be a Blue. This isn't normal. Army didn't do that for DD." Stupid remarks.

If the Blues make the playoffs, that will be point 5 an seal the deal. Dude is on FIRE.

Shoutout to him doing this and mentoring Steener in the process. That has to be a lot of fun."

Unfortunately none in February.

One Question.
Who is Army to you, and did he ask you for this, or you getting paid.

These are 3 valid posts and different questions? One is questioning the guy's acumen. One is highlighting basically only the single season wrap up. And then the other is taking a scaled back approach and looking at the career body of work with the Blues. Why does this bother you? And no, posters know I am an out of market poster but I feel i bring very valid statistically backed arguments to the table. I just figured, there is a time and place to discuss a mans legacy. When a player or in this case a GM announces their** retirement plan, it's usually appropriate to ask what kind of legacy that player is going to leave before their "swan song".

If you have a problem with that I am sorry. I for one like to talk about the positive merits that players, coaches, managers, owners etc etc bring to the city that I still call home. There's nothing worse than what happened with the Lambs which I called my number 1 team for the longest time. To see the owner of that team and the higher ups involved trash the city on their way out, it really makes you appreciate those that poor into the city as much as they do like a Schenn, Binner, Army, Stillman. Monty will join that list eventually after he puts some more time because all he does it talk up the city and it's people.

I'll offer up an alternatives that appeared to do a good job. (I can't say first hand as I wasn't really alive/aware for that) Caron seemed like he stabilized a team and never missed a playoffs.

Why does it bother you so much to talk positively about a guy that undoubtedly had a career season as GM?

Don't apologize. We have the same couple doofuses starting new threads bashing Army, which say all the same stuff all the others already said. And that happens nearly every day. Completely fair to do a new thread praising Army every once in a while.

I think it should happen every time he makes a thread bashing Army!

I put one thread at seasons end. Which was as much about the fandom, as Army.
The plan changed at least five times this year. Now that maga smart.

Two things Army did last year. Getting inside information from his buddy was one, No moves without that.

The other was what he does every year he is hoping to make playoffs. He brought in a veteran defender. The first time out of 7-8 times that the ole, vet defender at deadline, worked out. So 1-8 with his annual deadline move.

The year of the cup. Everyone on the team was on the Block, the goaltender, who needed more seasoning just two months before. Came up to give us the tank. Oops. What a genius.

Honestly. If he was so great. He wouldn't need the cult to tell us all the time. And they wouldn't have to lie and call names to make his case.(not op)

Honestly, if he was so bad (he) wouldn't need the moron brigade to tell us all the time. And they wouldn't have to lie and make up [shirt] that never happened.

[Tabasco Flowers]

Yes.

What SRV said.

[BalotelliMassive]

No clue on him being the best because I wasn't paying attention for the first 25 or so years...but since then he's been the best for sure.

[netboy65]

It's been 30days.
This again.

So in March you gave us.
Is Army a genius?

Which you answered:

"Not only has the man won a cup, is in the top 10 in all time wins as a GM holding one of the best win percentages of all time. But he manages to offer sheet 2 seemingly studs from a cup contending team for the cheap and these boys deliver. No one except a mad genius could see the production that Holloway is putting out there. The man must know his hockey. And to take it one step further, Fowler. How did this guy get a defender who was scoring 0 for peanuts and have him find the back of the net for 8 goals for the blues. AND on top of that, he finds a way to get Monty and locks him down long term when the Bruins deem him yesterday’s news.

Around 30 days later, in April. You gave us.
Is Army the GM of the year?
Which you answered.

"Listening to a couple hockey channels on youtube the past 24 hours, it seems the growing consensus is that Army will win the Jim Gregory GM of the year award. We obviously know his career numbers as he is top 10 in the league all time for wins, tops in the league for win percentage among GM's who have done the job more than 10 years, won a Stanley Cup, coveted in Canada etc etc etc.

But looking at the season in a vacuum as that is what the award is for. Is this one of the best GM jobs in history? The offer sheet play was the talk of the summer. It happened in a huge hockey lull and the Blues and Oilers became the top conversation for those who listen to hockey podcasts and news for a full week. Every day was a roller coaster with Edmonton fans saying these 2 were the best thing ever, then the next day when it looked like they were walking "these 2 are so overrated that money is stupid." rinse repeat for 7 days. Well it's fair to say like Rivers yesterday on 101, just give these guys 8x8 and be done with it. The gamble paid off. Take another gamble and you might have a huge steal 5 years from now. That is point 1.

Point 2 for Army was the hiring of Monty. This was a no brainer as we all saw this coming from last season but it seemed like an impossible task and bad timing for the Blues with Monty getting past the 1st round. The only thing that was difficult was Army had to fire a contracted coach and hire Monty. This was BOLD and not many GM's would do that. He had to convince Stillman and Co to buck up that extra money too.

Point 3 MASSIVE trade for Fowler while giving up peanuts. Blues basically got a free top pairing defensemen who is careering in half a season as a Blue. This goes to show that you can find good trades for vets from bad teams without giving up anything. People especially on this board called Fowler washed. He just had been playing on a bad team. Monty said that Fowler/Parayko pairing was the best pairing he had ever coached at any spot. Huge steal for the man Army

Point 4 Snuggy. Some posters on this board as well as a lot of posters on Reddit bought in that Snuggy didn't want to be here. He would never play for the Blues and would eventually sign with the Mild. That was pushed for over 2 years. Sure enough, Snuggy signs as a Blue for 3 seasons. I still remember earlier in the year. "What GM goes to the players house and has dinner with them if he isn't trying to convince him to be a Blue. This isn't normal. Army didn't do that for DD." Stupid remarks.

If the Blues make the playoffs, that will be point 5 an seal the deal. Dude is on FIRE.

Shoutout to him doing this and mentoring Steener in the process. That has to be a lot of fun."

Unfortunately none in February.

One Question.
Who is Army to you, and did he ask you for this, or you getting paid.

These are 3 valid posts and different questions? One is questioning the guy's acumen. One is highlighting basically only the single season wrap up. And then the other is taking a scaled back approach and looking at the career body of work with the Blues. Why does this bother you? And no, posters know I am an out of market poster but I feel i bring very valid statistically backed arguments to the table. I just figured, there is a time and place to discuss a mans legacy. When a player or in this case a GM announces their** retirement plan, it's usually appropriate to ask what kind of legacy that player is going to leave before their "swan song".

If you have a problem with that I am sorry. I for one like to talk about the positive merits that players, coaches, managers, owners etc etc bring to the city that I still call home. There's nothing worse than what happened with the Lambs which I called my number 1 team for the longest time. To see the owner of that team and the higher ups involved trash the city on their way out, it really makes you appreciate those that poor into the city as much as they do like a Schenn, Binner, Army, Stillman. Monty will join that list eventually after he puts some more time because all he does it talk up the city and it's people.

I'll offer up an alternatives that appeared to do a good job. (I can't say first hand as I wasn't really alive/aware for that) Caron seemed like he stabilized a team and never missed a playoffs.

Why does it bother you so much to talk positively about a guy that undoubtedly had a career season as GM?

Don't apologize. We have the same couple doofuses starting new threads bashing Army, which say all the same stuff all the others already said. And that happens nearly every day. Completely fair to do a new thread praising Army every once in a while.

I think it should happen every time he makes a thread bashing Army!

I put one thread at seasons end. Which was as much about the fandom, as Army.
The plan changed at least five times this year. Now that maga smart.

Two things Army did last year. Getting inside information from his buddy was one, No moves without that.

The other was what he does every year he is hoping to make playoffs. He brought in a veteran defender. The first time out of 7-8 times that the ole, vet defender at deadline, worked out. So 1-8 with his annual deadline move.

The year of the cup. Everyone on the team was on the Block, the goaltender, who needed more seasoning just two months before. Came up to give us the tank. Oops. What a genius.

Honestly. If he was so great. He wouldn't need the cult to tell us all the time. And they wouldn't have to lie and call names to make his case.(not op)

Binnington wasn’t brought up to “give us the tank”
Allen was hurt and Husso was hurt, Binner was just the next guy

[BalotelliMassive]

Pretty sure Binnington was the fourth string goalie....

[netboy65]

Pretty sure Binnington was the fourth string goalie....

Maybe, don’t remember who the other guy was. Didn’t we have some guy named Johnson and released him cause he was beyond bad?

[sdaltons]

Next thread: is Doug Armstrong the best GM in the history of competitive sport?



Will have to give it some thought!

[dtkblueshockey]

Yes.

STL Cups

Doug Armstrong - 1
Everyone else - None

[DawgDad]

Next thread: is Doug Armstrong the best GM in the history of competitive sport?



Will have to give it some thought!

Thought? This IS a St. Louis forum, right?

Does the name Herzog ring a bell? It should!

[Pierre McGuire]

Hands down.....

[sdaltons]

Next thread: is Doug Armstrong the best GM in the history of competitive sport?



Will have to give it some thought!

Thought? This IS a St. Louis forum, right?

Does the name Herzog ring a bell? It should!

It's a joke, fella!!

[bud white]

Pretty sure Binnington was the fourth string goalie....

Maybe, don’t remember who the other guy was. Didn’t we have some guy named Johnson and released him cause he was beyond bad?

Chad Johnson. He was brutal.

Pang shared the story of the Blues desperately trying to trade for a goalie - but couldn't find a partner (In fact, they were trying to trade Allen at one point too.) The braintrust came to the conclusion of "why not just bring up one of the San Antonio guys" because "It couldn't get any worse." Husso was hurt, and Binnington got the call December 9, 2018 after Johnson was placed on waivers.

During the offseason the Blues had signed him to a one year / two way contract after he had posted a .928 save percentage / 2.06 GAA while on loan to Providence - Boston's top AHL club. Boston was getting pretty interested in him, in fact.

[DawgDad]

Next thread: is Doug Armstrong the best GM in the history of competitive sport?



Will have to give it some thought!

Thought? This IS a St. Louis forum, right?

Does the name Herzog ring a bell? It should!

It's a joke, fella!!

I know, I realize what your point is about the "best" threads. My post is good natured. When I got to the word "thought" in your post my mind was screaming "Herzog!".

[netboy65]

Pretty sure Binnington was the fourth string goalie....

Maybe, don’t remember who the other guy was. Didn’t we have some guy named Johnson and released him cause he was beyond bad?

Chad Johnson. He was brutal.

Pang shared the story of the Blues desperately trying to trade for a goalie - but couldn't find a partner (In fact, they were trying to trade Allen at one point too.) The braintrust came to the conclusion of "why not just bring up one of the San Antonio guys" because "It couldn't get any worse." Husso was hurt, and Binnington got the call December 9, 2018 after Johnson was placed on waivers.

During the offseason the Blues had signed him to a one year / two way contract after he had posted a .928 save percentage / 2.06 GAA while on loan to Providence - Boston's top AHL club. Boston was getting pretty interested in him, in fact.

Chad. Couldn’t remember his first name. Just like he couldn’t stop a beach ball

[bud white]

Pretty sure Binnington was the fourth string goalie....

Maybe, don’t remember who the other guy was. Didn’t we have some guy named Johnson and released him cause he was beyond bad?

Chad Johnson. He was brutal.

Pang shared the story of the Blues desperately trying to trade for a goalie - but couldn't find a partner (In fact, they were trying to trade Allen at one point too.) The braintrust came to the conclusion of "why not just bring up one of the San Antonio guys" because "It couldn't get any worse." Husso was hurt, and Binnington got the call December 9, 2018 after Johnson was placed on waivers.

During the offseason the Blues had signed him to a one year / two way contract after he had posted a .928 save percentage / 2.06 GAA while on loan to Providence - Boston's top AHL club. Boston was getting pretty interested in him, in fact.

Chad. Couldn’t remember his first name. Just like he couldn’t stop a beach ball

Hard to believe, but Anaheim picked him up after the Blues debacle.

2019 was his last season in the N, by the way. Dude was a suitcase. Played NCAA and was a Hobey Baker Finalist!

[TheJackBurton]

I think the best thing Doug has done is brought stability and has built an organization from top to bottom.

No more trades to just make trades, we have been a desired destination more often than not, we have our minor leagues set up to teach the kids how to play Blues hockey the way he and the organization want it played, and has a succession plan in place to insure it keeps going that way.

That's the way the Cards used to be and that's what made them the envy of the majority of baseball teams.