After Florida's Cup repeat, Doug Armstrong wonders what might have been for 2019 Blues
When Blues general manager Doug Armstrong watched the Panthers repeat as Stanley Cup champions last month, he couldn’t help but feel disappointed. Not in the Panthers, but rather that his Blues didn’t get the chance to properly defend their title.
The Blues won the franchise’s first Stanley Cup in 2019, and followed it up with the best record in the Western Conference during the 2019-20 regular season. But then the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the league, forced the postseason into Canadian bubbles, and the Blues were bounced in the first round by the Canucks.
The Stanley Cup sits on display while the Blues’ Stanley Cup championship banner for the 2018-2019 season is raised before the start of the season opener against the Washington Capitals on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2019, at Enterprise Center.
The Blues will open their preseason schedule on Sept. 20 at Dallas, the team announced on Monday morning when it released its six-game exhibition slate.
The Blues (along with FanDuel Sports Network Midwest and 101 ESPN) announced that the club would not renew John Kelly’s contract, and they would be transitioning to a simulcast.
Blues, telecaster disrespect John Kelly, family legacy with ungracious ouster: Media Views
It has been more than a week now since the malodorous removal of longtime Blues television play-by-play announcer John Kelly from the team’s broadcast lineup. The stench still fills the air.
The decision to not renew his contract after 20 consecutive years of service — 23 overall, including a previous stint — was announced as having been a joint move by the club, telecaster FanDuel Sports Network and radio flagship station WXOS (101.1 FM). Also ousted among other developments was Jamie Rivers, the primary TV analyst for the past two seasons, as the team is turning to a simulcast model in which the radio call of Chris Kerber and Joey Vitale also will be heard on the telecasts. (Rivers will return to his previous slot on the pregame/postgame TV analyst roster.)
The Blues have been so important to the Kelly family that they took the Stanley Cup to patriarch Dan’s grave after the team won it in 2019. From left: Patrick, Ann, Fran, Susan, Cathy, John, Jennifer.
Post-Dispatch beat reporter Matthew DeFranks joined columnist Jeff Gordon to discuss the flurry of Blues activity in the trade market, free agency and the NHL Draft.
Opener vs. Minnesota, Jim Montgomery's return to Boston and other key dates on the Blues' schedule
The Blues will open the 2025-26 season at home Oct. 9 against Minnesota, the league announced as it released the regular-season schedule Wednesday afternoon.
The date with the Wild kicks off the campaign as the Blues try to qualify for the postseason for the second straight season.
Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington salutes the fans after the Blues beat the Jets in Game 6 of the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday, May 2, 2025, at Enterprise Center.
Blues defenseman Philip Broberg, right, shoves Jets defenseman Neal Pionk during a scrum in third-period action of Game 6 of their first-round Stanley Cup playoffs series Friday, May 2, 2025, at Enterprise Center.
Blues release six-game preseason schedule, with first game Sept. 20
The Blues will open their preseason schedule on Sept. 20 at Dallas, the team announced on Monday morning when it released its six-game exhibition slate.
The game in Dallas is part of a preseason-opening back-to-back with a game in Columbus on Sept. 21. The Blues return home to host the Blackhawks on Sept. 27, the Stars on Sept. 30 and the Senators on Oct. 2. They finish the preseason with a trip to Chicago on Oct. 4.
The Blues (along with FanDuel Sports Network Midwest and 101 ESPN) announced that the club would not renew John Kelly’s contract, and they would be transitioning to a simulcast.
Instead, the club, FanDuel Sports Network and 101 ESPN will switch to a simulcast model with Chris Kerber (play-by-play) and Joey Vitale (analyst) calling the action.
Blues CEO defends ouster of play-by-play voice John Kelly. ‘Very hard decision.’
John Kelly was a longtime Blues television play-by-play broadcaster.
FanDuel Sports Network
Blues president and CEO Chris Zimmerman defended the decision on Friday morning to oust television play-by-play broadcaster John Kelly, saying that he “definitely wouldn’t characterize it as a cost-cutting move.â€
On Thursday evening, the Blues (along with FanDuel Sports Network Midwest and 101 ESPN) announced that the club would not renew Kelly’s contract, and that they would be transitioning to a simulcast with Chris Kerber and Joey Vitale calling the action. The announcement brought outrage from Blues fans on social media, with plenty criticizing the organization for being cheap.
Instead, the club, FanDuel Sports Network and 101 ESPN will switch to a simulcast model with Chris Kerber (play-by-play) and Joey Vitale (analyst) calling the action.
Doug Armstrong's most shrewd move this summer could be holding onto his offensive-oriented winger despite his changing contract status.
Blues prospect Justin Carbonneau chooses QMJHL return over college hockey
Blues first-round pick Justin Carbonneau will play junior hockey again in Quebec with Blainville-Boisbriand, the team announced on Friday afternoon.
Carbonneau was weighing whether to return to the QMJHL or transfer to Boston College to play hockey collegiately. The 18-year-old winger will return to Blainville-Boisbriand after ranking second in the league in both goals and points in 2024-25.
The Blues’ 2025 first-round pick made an impactful first impression, dropping highlight-reel goals and displaying a physical side to his game despite the laid-back setting.
The camp will be four days of on-ice work, beginning each day at noon and concluding with a three-on-three scrimmage session. It is free and open to the public.
John Kelly out as Blues play-by-play voice as team moves to simulcast model
John Kelly, the television voice of the Blues for the past two decades, will no longer call games for the franchise after his contract was not renewed, the Blues announced Thursday evening.
Instead, the club, FanDuel Sports Network and 101 ESPN will switch to a simulcast model with Chris Kerber (play-by-play) and Joey Vitale (analyst) calling the action. Television color commentator Jamie Rivers will return to his role in the studio as an analyst on "Blues Live."
Blues general manager Doug Armstrong speaks with the media on Thursday, July 3, 2025, after the team acquired center Pius Suter. (Video courtesy ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Blues)
Blues defenseman prospect Colin Ralph hopes to continue winning ways at Michigan State
Jakub Stancl, left, and Colin Ralph battle for the puck in a three-on-three scrimmage during Day 1 of the Blues’ prospect development camp Monday, June 30, 2025, at Centene Community Ice Center in Maryland Heights.
Eli Randolph, Post-Dispatch
Standing out was difficult at Blues development camp, which lasted just four days last week.
One immediate standout, however, was defenseman Colin Ralph — in a physical sense, at least.
Marcus Broberg looking to create own hockey legacy after stint in Blues development camp
Marcus Broberg (82) completes a skills drill during Day 2 of the Blues’ prospect development camp Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at Centene Community Ice Center in Maryland Heights.
Eli Randolph, Post-Dispatch
Phillip Broberg became a key cog on defense last season for the Blues, breaking out after three seasons with the Oilers.
Another Broberg took the ice last week for the Blues: Marcus, Phillip’s younger brother. The 21-year-old was invited to Blues development camp this summer in an attempt to earn a free-agent contract. Marcus’ rights are not owned by any NHL team.
