The St. Louis Blues face a crucial decision heading into the summer: who will fill the role of head coach next? After parting ways with Stanley Cup-winning coach Craig Berube in December, the team turned to Drew Bannister, head coach of the American Hockey League (AHL) team, on an interim basis, where he performed commendably.
It’s time for the Blues to seek a fresh perspective outside the organization for their next hire. Exploring younger coaching options could inject new energy into the team’s direction. General Manager Doug Armstrong should consider the possibility of hiring a first-time head coach as part of the forward trajectory. Here are some potential candidates for the position.
One candidate is Jay Leach, a 44-year-old coach who has garnered attention for head coaching roles in recent years. Leach has served on Dave Hakstol’s coaching staff in Seattle since the team’s inception in 2021-22.
Prior to his NHL coaching aspirations, Leach spent four seasons as a head coach in the AHL and two as an assistant. He also briefly served as an interim head coach for three games with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins during the 2015-16 season. During his tenure as head coach of the Providence Bruins, spanning four seasons, Leach guided the team to two playoff appearances and was poised for two more before the disruption caused by COVID-19 prevented the league from awarding multiple Calder Cup trophies in 2020 and 2021. Known for his strong teaching ability, Leach, a former NHL defenseman, emphasizes structured play aligned with fundamental principles. Among the pool of potential first-time head coaches, Leach stands out as a particularly compelling option.
