This is the last of the 2025-26 grades for the players, head coach, and general manager. To save the best for last, here is the final grade of St. Louis Blues General Manager and President of Hockey Operations, Doug Armstrong.
What a season to conclude his incredible run as the top-guy in the organization.
Expectations for the 2025-26 season
With the passing of the torch already set in motion, Armstrong held his last free agency. training camp and season with the 2025-26 campaign. It was not the result that he wanted, or anyone wanted, following the unbelievable playoff appearance in 2024-25.
We all know that Armstrong was going to pull out all the stops to make sure that this franchise is handed off to Alexander Steen in a good place. That is exactly what he did.
Grade: A
Internationally, Armstrong put together the greatest hockey team ever assembled on paper for Team Canada in the 2026 Olympics. Unfortunately, it did not translate to reality, and as he steps down from the Blues, he also steps away from his country's highest seat in terms of global hockey tournaments.
For the Blues, his best moment was at the trade deadline, where he orchestrated the Blues grabbing two more first-round picks, some solid depth pieces, and prospects, whilst getting rid of aging players that were not going to be a part of this team's vision of the future. The deals for Justin Faulk and Brayden Schenn were masterclasses, and the Blues are going to benefit greatly from them this offseason.
Where does he go from here?
From here, Armstrong will stay on as the President of Hockey Operations. Steen will take over on the first day of next month as the General Manager, and the next era of Blues hockey will officially begin.
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