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    Lyle Richardson
    Lyle Richardson
    Dec 15, 2023, 15:45

    After firing coach Craig Berube on Wednesday, St. Louis Blues GM Doug Armstrong doesn't seem to be done trying to make moves, prompting the latest round of speculation.

    After firing coach Craig Berube on Wednesday, St. Louis Blues GM Doug Armstrong doesn't seem to be done trying to make moves, prompting the latest round of speculation.

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    St. Louis Blues GM Doug Armstrong decided a change was needed behind the bench to shake up his struggling club. Having replaced Craig Berube as coach with Drew Bannister on an interim basis, it remains to be seen what else he has in store as this season goes along.

    Before firing Berube, Armstrong placed winger Jakub Vrana on waivers to send him to the minors. With the 27-year-old winger now skating for the Blues' AHL affiliate in Springfield, there are questions over how long Bannister will remain in his role as well as whether more significant roster moves lay ahead.

    Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman observed that Armstrong didn't guarantee Bannister would remain the coach for the rest of the season, though his chances would improve if the Blues perform well under his guidance. However, it appears that Armstrong wants to speak with other people. Friedman mentioned Joel Quenneville, who he said the NHL hasn't reinstated, as well as former Edmonton Oilers coach Jay Woodcroft as speculated options.

    Friedman indicated Armstrong looked at the trade market but didn't find anything to his liking. He attempted to move Vrana before sending him to the minors. Speaking to NHL Network on Wednesday, Friedman pointed out Armstrong attempted to ship defenseman Torey Krug this summer to the Philadelphia Flyers for blueliner Travis Sanheim, but the deal fell through when Krug invoked his no-trade clause.

    The Athletic's Jeremy Rutherford noted Armstrong said that no one on the roster or in management should feel safe right now. He also said he's not against buying out players on long-term contracts with no-trade clauses, though that's not his first course of action.

    Whatever lies ahead for the Blues will depend on how the rest of this season unfolds. 

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