After becoming sick of the Blues being used as a punching bag, St. Louis general manager Doug Armstrong decided to replace coach Craig Berube. Just two hours after Tuesday night's 6-4 loss to the Detroit Red Wings, Armstrong fired Berube. After a few beers, the two men decided to act.
According to hockey news reports, team owner Tom Stillman was consulted before making the decision.
After a few disheartening losses, the one against Detroit was the most recent. Losing their fourth consecutive game, St. Louis came into the third period with a 4-3 lead. All four losses were at the hands of opponents from Ohio, Chicago, Vegas, and Detroit, with the first two of those losses being away from home.
In 2019, the 57-year-old Berube led the Blues to the Stanley Cup. He oversaw a remarkable comeback after taking over as temporary coach in Mike Yeo's stead on November 20, 2018. Under his direction, the Saints went 38-19-6 in the 2018–19 season.
Drew Bannister will take over as an interim coach. He coached the American Hockey League's Springfield Thunderbirds in the past. On Wednesday, he skipped team practice because he was en route from Springfield to St. Louis.
He will play his first game with the Blues on Thursday against the Ottawa Senators.