Last week, we took a look at Doug Armstrong’s best transactions by season. Due to the size of the article, we only went up to the 2017-18 season. As we continue to celebrate Armstrong’s last season as the St. Louis Blues’ general manager, we present the second half of our look at Armstrong’s best transactions by season.
Doug Armstrong’s Best Transactions by Season
Like last time, we will focus on transactions that had an immediate impact on the team. While the trade for the draft picks that became players like Vladimir Tarasenko and Jordan Binnington is undoubtedly a significant moment in team history, it took a few seasons to see that pay off. Today, we want to focus on the transactions that had an immediate impact.
2018-19 Season
Killing Three Birds With One Stone
Armstrong went into the summer of 2018 with three goals. He wanted to acquire a number-one centre for the team. In addition, he wanted to clear some salary from the cap to create space for a new centre. Lastly, Armstrong wanted to do all this while keeping the top prospects: a tall order, no doubt.
Armstrong managed to do all three things in a single transaction. Armstrong was able to acquire Ryan O’Reilly from the Buffalo Sabres. In exchange, the Blues sent Patrik Berglund, Vladimir Sobotka, Tage Thompson, and a first-round pick to Buffalo. In acquiring O’Reilly, a number-one centre, Armstrong managed to get rid of Berglund and Sobotka’s contracts while only giving up Thompson from the team’s youth pool.
The rest is history. O’Reilly would win the Selke Trophy in 2019 as well as the Conn Smythe Trophy. Behind O’Reilly’s five goals in the Stanley Cup Final, the Blues won their first Stanley Cup. Furthermore, O’Reilly would go on to become the Blues’ captain, further evidence that this was one of Armstrong’s best trades, if not his best.
2019-20 Season
Extending Brayden Schenn
As the Blues prepared to raise their Stanley Cup banner, Armstrong extended forward Bradyen Schenn to an eight-year contract. Due to the Blues’ cap situation, the decision was surprising at the time, especially with Alex Pietrangelo needing a new contract. However, Schenn has aged like a fine wine with the Blues. Since signing the extension, Schenn has scored no less than 16 goals in a season. It is worth mentioning that his 16-goal season was in the 56-game season in 2020-21.
As captain of the team, Schenn is looking to lead the Blues into their new era. After reaching the playoffs last season, Schenn hopes to help the Blues build off that success.
2020-21 Season
Bringing in Offensive Help
The Blues needed offensive help heading into the 2020-21 season. Vladimir Tarasenko would miss time due to his shoulder injury. The team needed a left-handed forward to help fill the void. To fill that void, Armstrong signed veteran forward Mike Hoffman.
In his only season wearing the Blue Note, Hoffman was a strong player for the Blues. He scored 17 goals, including seven on the power play. Hoffman did precisely what he was brought in to do. A great addition by Armstrong, even if it was short-lived.
2021-22 Season
Big Apple Trade
In late July 2021, Armstrong traded Sammy Blais and a draft pick to the New York Rangers in exchange for Pavel Buchnevich. Buchnevich had been a goal-scorer with the Rangers, but found another level with the Blues. In his first season, he scored 30 goals, followed by a 26 and 27-goal season.
Armstrong made the trade as a result of Blais’s struggles and the upside of Buchnevich. Considering Blais did not score a single goal during his time with the Rangers, this is a trade Armstrong wins by a wide margin.
2022-23 Season
Choosing a Goaltender
This was a tough decision. This was the season Armstrong committed to a retool and traded off players like O’Reilly and Vladimir Tarasenko. Armstrong, committing to a retool instead of trying to force a final push out of Tarasenko and O’Reilly, started building for the future, a move that has paid off. However, we are going with another choice.
In 2021-22, Jordan Binnington struggled between the pipes. He eventually lost the starting job to Ville Husso, although Binnington did regain it in the playoffs. However, the Blues went into the summer with a choice to make. If they re-signed Husso, they would need to pay him starter’s money, given the past season. Armstrong would be in the same situation as he was with Binnington and Jake Allen.
Like Allen, Husso was traded to the Detroit Red Wings. Armstrong chose to continue his commitment to Binnington. Three years later, that choice is clearly the correct one. Husso has not been able to repeat his success from 2022, leading the Wings to move on from him. Binnington, meanwhile, continues to perform in big moments for the Blues.
The only question that remains regarding Binnington is how soon after he retires that the Blues raise his #50 to the rafters.
2023-24
Youngster Joins Playoff Race
The 2023-24 season was a quiet one in terms of transactions. The Blues did not sell at the trade deadline, nor did they have an active summer leading into the season. As such, Armstrong’s best transaction of the year involves a young prospect and a playoff chase.
Zachary Bolduc made his NHL debut in 2023-24. The 2021 draft pick scored five goals and recorded nine points in 25 games with the Blues. Bolduc provided a spark for the Blues’ team, making a push for the playoffs, although they ended up falling short of their goal; however, Bolduc’s exposure to meaningful hockey carried over to the next season. In 72 games, Bolduc scored 19 goals as the Blues returned to the playoffs.
Bolduc has the potential to be an impact player in the NHL. While his days with the Blues are over now, that does not change the fact that his call-up in 2023-24 was a needed spark for the playoff chase.
2024-25
Tendering Offer Sheets
Armstrong’s boldest transaction came in August of 2024. Armstrong tendered two offer sheets to Edmonton Oilers’ players Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg. The duo came to St. Louis and made an immediate impact, making this not only Armstrong’s boldest transaction but one of his best.
In 68 games, Broberg scored eight goals and recorded 29 points. Holloway, meanwhile, scored 26 goals and recorded 63 points in 77 games. Both have found themselves part of the Blues’ core, with Holloway due for a contract extension, perhaps this season.
Armstrong’s boldness helped the Blues return to the playoffs. When asked if he would have done it had it not been Stan Bowman in charge of the Oilers, Armstrong responded that he would have done it to his mother if it helped the Blues improve.
2025-26
Considering this season has not even started yet, it may be inappropriate to do one for this season. However, just for fun, we are going to choose what so far stands out as Armstrong’s best transaction.
Second-Line Centre
Pius Suter joined the Blues in July, adding an offensive boost to the lineup. While some sources have Suter listed as the third-line centre, he could end up playing on the second line by the time the season starts.
Last season with the Vancouver Canucks, Suter scored 25 goals in 81 games. This is impressive, especially when you consider Suter did not have the most flashy linemates. With the Blues, Suter will be paired with players like Jordan Kyrou and Dylan Holloway. Even if he is on the third line, he will be paired with Jake Neighbours.
A 30+ goal season does not seem impossible for Suter. This could be a signing that Blues fans come to appreciate for a long time.
Recapping the List
Alas, we have come to the end of our list. We have covered many different transactions, but one thing is clear. Armstrong was always trying to put the Blues in the best possible shape. Did the move always pay off? No. But no one can ever deny that Armstrong was not fully invested in the team. Alexander Steen will have some big shoes to fill when he takes over next summer.
As for Armstrong himself, he is not thinking about next summer. He is thinking about the 2025-26 season and what he can do to give the Blues the best shot at winning.
We end with a recap of Armstrong’s best transactions by season.
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- 2010-11- Chris Stewart/Kevin Shattenkirk trade
- 2011-12- hiring Ken Hitchcock
- 2012-13- Jay Bouwmeester trade
- 2013-14- Ryan Miller/Steve Ott trade
- 2014-15- Paul Stastny signing
- 2015-16- T.J. Oshie trade
- 2016-17- Re-signing Alexander Steen
- 2017-18- Protecting Ryan Reaves
- 2018-19- Ryan O’Reilly trade
- 2019-20- Extending Brayden Schenn
- 2020-21- Mike Hoffman signing
- 2021-22- Pavel Buchnevich trade
- 2022-23- Ville Husso trade
- 2023-24- Zachary Bolduc call-up
- 2024-25- Tendering offer sheets
- 2025-26- Pius Suter signing
Main Photo: Jeff Curry- Imagn Images
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