Doug Armstrong is nearing the end of his tenure as general manager of the St. Louis Blues. The long-time executive is set to step away from his role after 16 seasons at the helm, making way for former Blues forward Alex Steen to take over as GM.
Armstrong helped guide the franchise to its first Stanley Cup in the 2018-19 season, the second Stanley Cup of his career after winning one as the assistant GM with the Dallas Stars in 1999.
He appeared on TSN Radio on Friday morning to discuss how the transition period has gone and what the team will focus on as the season comes to a close.
“The transition from Alex and I is going great. We talk every day, we share thoughts. I learn every day from his playing experience. He’s picking up things from me from the other side of the desk. He’s excited to take over,” Armstrong said. “Quite honestly, the transition will officially take place on July 1…but [it has] has already started.”
Armstrong will remain with the club as president of hockey operations and work with Steen as they try to steer the Blues through an unexpected rebuild.
“I’m looking forward to helping Alex any way I can. I talked to some of the players. I hope that’s what I can do for them is provide an outlet where they can tell me things, and I can take it to Alex with what’s going on behind the scenes,” Armstrong said. “I thought we had one of the top cultures in the game. We made the transition from veteran players to younger ones, and that culture doesn’t just transfer over. You have to rebuild that with younger players, and that’s what we’re trying to do now.”
The Blues hold a record of 30-30-11 (71 points) with 11 games remaining in the 2025-26 season, a steep drop from the 96 points and a playoff appearance from last season.
“Obviously, we came into the season with a plan. We thought it was going to be a smooth year where we’d be fighting for a playoff spot, or certainly better than we are, but it didn’t work out that way,” Armstrong said.
In his final trade deadline with the club, Armstrong made the difficult decision to trade captain Brayden Schenn and veteran defenceman Justin Faulk in an effort to accumulate assets for the future.
Schenn was moved to the New York Islanders for a package that included a first- and third-round pick in 2026, while Faulk was sent to the Detroit Red Wings for another package that included 2026 first- and third-round picks.
St. Louis now has 12 picks in the upcoming draft, including three in the first round, as they attempt to build around their young core.
“We’re trying to build a core group of guys that can grow together. We took the picks, and it gives the organization a lot of latitude at the draft. We can acquire picks, we can acquire players, those names, young players and then build them up,” said Armstrong.
“It was the right decision for the Blues. We are committed to our path. We’re committed to those younger players. We want them to grow as quickly as they can, and to do that, you have to put them on the ice.”
The Blues’ young core has found another gear late in the season and has led the team to a 7-1-2 record over the past 10 games. The club now sits 28th in the NHL standings and remains in line for a top-five pick.
Despite the victories during a time when conventional wisdom dictates the team should try to lose as much as possible, Armstrong said the latest string of wins will help galvanize the team’s up-and-coming players and help rebuild the culture that brought the city a Stanley Cup.
“We’re winning games with the right players. [Dylan] Holloway and [Dalibor] Dvorsky scored the other night. The younger players are the ones starting to drive the bus,” Armstrong said. “I think if we were winning and the veterans were doing most of the work, it would feel like a wasted opportunity to get a high pick. I don’t feel that way because we’re being driven by the right people.”
Armstrong also announced earlier this month that he would be stepping down as general manager of Team Canada. He held the GM title with the senior men’s team since the 2016 World Cup of Hockey and built a resume that includes three IIHF World Championship gold medals and two silver medals. He was also on the management staff for the Olympic gold medal-winning teams in 2010 and 2014.
“I had a great run with Hockey Canada. I’ve learned so much from Hockey Canada. I just tried to pay it forward. It was time,” said Armstrong. “I enjoyed the experience of being able to look under the hood of what makes Sidney Crosby tick, and now it’s Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon. There’s a new wave of players coming, and there will be a new wave of management.
“I’m looking forward to Canada staking their claim back to being the one celebrating at the final horn.”
