Armstrong signs extension as Blues president of hockey ops, Steen taking over as GM in 2026
A transition plan is in effect for the St. Louis Blues’ hockey operations department.
During a press conference on Thursday, team chairman Tom Stillman announced that general manager Doug Armstrong has signed a three-year extension with the team, in addition to already having two more years on his current contract. The 59-year-old will continue to lead the club as president of hockey operations for the next five years, and the next two as general manager.
Stillman also revealed the Blues have signed former NHLer Alexander Steen to a five-year contract. For the first two years, the Swedish national will serve as special assistant to the general manager before taking on the role of GM, beginning with the 2026-27 season.
“It wasn’t surprising when earlier this year,” Stillman explained. “Doug started making the case to me that it was time to start moving toward a new general manager. It probably wasn’t surprising to Doug that, while I was open to moving to a new GM, I also wanted to make sure that the Blues organization would keep the man I consider the best manager in hockey.”
Armstrong has been the longest-tenured and winningest GM in franchise history, stepping into the role in 2009. The Canadian Olympic Team GM won the Jim Gregory Award as general manager of the year in 2012, putting together a roster that went on to win the franchise’s first Stanley Cup in 2019. The 2024-25 season will mark his 15th campaign in St. Louis, which has also seen the Blues win three Central Division titles, advancing to the playoffs 10 times.
“For the next couple of years, it will be as business as usual,” Armstrong said. “The reason I went to Tom last year was that I try to start every decision with, ‘What’s best for the Blues?’ When I thought about staying on managing–I love managing, I could manage for at least another decade without any reservation–the last question is, ‘Is that best for the Blues?’…I love the Blues and I wanted what’s best for the Blues.”
Armstrong believes Steen is the right man for the job.
“It just became clearer and clearer that he had everything you need in a general manager, except experience…I think the easiest part for Alexander will be the competitive part, knowing what it takes to win, what type of people you need to win.”
“I want to thank Tom and the ownership group,” Steen told the media. “As well as Doug for the opportunity. I want to thank my family who continue to show me support in going through this new point in my career. Incredibly excited to officially to be moving back to St. Louis…When I first came here in 2008, within a couple of days I felt so welcome by the city and the people. It obviously holds a special place in my heart.”
Steen spent this past season working with the Blues as a European development consultant, helping the organization in the assessment and development of the team’s prospects in Europe. Steen played 15 years in the NHL, over 11 of which came with the Blues. The former Toronto Maple Leaf played 1,018 games, scoring 245 goals and 622 points, registering 36 points in 91 playoff games. Steen was among the many veterans who were key in the team’s Stanley Cup victory five years ago. He retired at the end of the 2019-20 regular season.
When Steen takes over the general manager role, he will report to Armstrong for the remaining three years of both of their contracts.
Also, the Blues have promoted Tim Taylor to join Ryan Miller as an assistant general manager. Taylor will continue overseeing player personnel, while Miller oversees salary cap compliance and contract negotiations, among other hockey operations responsibilities.