Matthew DeFranks
mdefranks.bsky.social
Matthew DeFranks
@mdefranks.bsky.social
St. Louis Blues writer for The St. Louis Post-Dispatch (@stltoday.bsky.social). MDeFranks@post-dispatch.com
New Net Front Presence podcast as the Blues open the regular season tomorrow.

Doug Armstrong joins the show to delve deep into player evaluation, talk about what he hopes to teach Alexander Steen, and a lot more.

Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/d...

Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/5Gxm...
Doug Armstrong joins the show as Blues set to open regular season
Podcast Episode · Net Front Presence · 10/08/2025 · 1h 4m
podcasts.apple.com
October 9, 2025 at 2:32 AM
New podcast recorded with Gordo today about the Cam Fowler trade, the St. Louis blue line, and Drew Bannister's grace.

Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a...

Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/0mDF...
Assessing the Cam Fowler trade
Podcast Episode · Net Front Presence · 12/17/2024 · 35m
podcasts.apple.com
December 17, 2024 at 8:20 PM
In that Kingston-Brantford game yesterday, Quinton Burns received a major penalty for a check from behind, which included a game misconduct.
December 16, 2024 at 9:51 PM
In first comments since being fired, Drew Bannister says he's not bitter toward Blues

“There’s so much more positive than this one negative. The Blues have been really good to me.” www.stltoday.com/sports/profe...
In first comments since being fired, Drew Bannister says he's not bitter toward Blues
In Bannister’s 76 total games as Blues coach, he went 39-31-6, a .553 points percentage that ranks eighth in franchise history.
www.stltoday.com
December 16, 2024 at 6:32 PM
Blues activate defenseman Philip Broberg, who could return Saturday vs. Flyers www.stltoday.com/sports/profe...
Blues activate defenseman Philip Broberg, who could return Saturday vs. Flyers
In order to make room for Broberg on the active roster, the Blues sent defenseman Corey Schueneman back to AHL affiliate Springfield.
www.stltoday.com
November 30, 2024 at 3:06 PM
“I remember he brought energy, fresh air. The bench during the game is on fire, everyone’s talking. Practices are fun. Competing but fun.” www.stltoday.com/sports/profe...
Radek Faksa, Jim Montgomery reunited five years after they were together in Dallas
Radek Faksa played for parts of two seasons under Jim Montgomery in Dallas before Montgomery’s firing in 2019, and Faksa was traded to St. Louis over the summer.
www.stltoday.com
November 30, 2024 at 3:05 PM
Game Day: Blues to face Devils team that's without suspended forward Timo Meier www.stltoday.com/sports/profe...
Game Day: Blues to face Devils team that's without suspended forward Timo Meier
The Blues will not be playing against forward Timo Meier, who was suspended for one game on Tuesday for cross-checking Nashville's Zachary L'Heureux on Monday night.
www.stltoday.com
November 27, 2024 at 5:43 PM
After taking a maintenance day yesterday, Robert Thomas is on the ice for a very optional Blues morning skate today.
November 27, 2024 at 4:54 PM
There will be no supplemental discipline on Matt Rempe for his hit on Jake Neighbours last night (called roughing on the ice). The play earned a second look because of its lateness, but was not forceful enough to warrant supplemental discipline.
November 26, 2024 at 3:41 PM
“It felt like we were having fun out there. That’s the main part. It felt like we weren’t sitting back and we played with energy tonight.” www.stltoday.com/sports/profe...
Jim Montgomery makes impactful first impression as Blues have ‘fun’ during win over Rangers
Zack Bolduc scored two goals for the first time in his NHL career, while Schenn, Jordan Kyrou and Pavel Buchnevich (empty-net) also scored for the Blues.
www.stltoday.com
November 26, 2024 at 1:17 PM
Why Jim Montgomery chose to coach the Blues and how Doug Armstrong coaxed him to St. Louis www.stltoday.com/sports/profe...
Why Jim Montgomery chose to coach the Blues and how Doug Armstrong coaxed him to St. Louis
Montgomery was hired by the Blues on Sunday, replacing Drew Bannister, who served as Blues coach for 76 games as an interim last year and the full-time coach this year.
www.stltoday.com
November 25, 2024 at 5:35 PM
Jim Montgomery said Doug Armstrong is very persuasive. How? Montgomery: "The best line that put his hooks into me was 'When something delicious falls on my plate, I eat.' So, I don't know, I guess I was a T-bone that day."
November 25, 2024 at 2:58 PM
What Doug Armstrong said about hiring Jim Montgomery, firing Drew Bannister, their vision now and in the future, and what Montgomery has to fix.

“I was more than prepared to go through the peaks and the valleys with Drew until Monty became available.” www.stltoday.com/sports/profe...
In hiring Jim Montgomery, Blues GM Doug Armstrong says 'coaching is not an issue' anymore
On Sunday, the Blues fired coach Drew Bannister and installed Montgomery behind the bench, signing Montgomery to a five-year deal that will take him through the 2028-29 season.
www.stltoday.com
November 24, 2024 at 11:36 PM
Blues fire Drew Bannister, hire Jim Montgomery after 9-12-1 start to season www.stltoday.com/sports/profe...
Blues fire Drew Bannister, hire Jim Montgomery after 9-12-1 start to season
Five days after he was fired as the Bruins head coach, Montgomery was hired on Sunday as the head coach of the Blues, signing a five-year contract in the process.
www.stltoday.com
November 24, 2024 at 2:35 PM
BREAKING: The Blues have fired Drew Bannister and hired Jim Montgomery. Montgomery has signed a five-year contract to coach the Blues.
November 24, 2024 at 2:10 PM
“Our team has good players, and we’re not scoring. We’ve got to figure out offense. Offense is our biggest issue. Impossible to win with one and two goals. Just impossible.” www.stltoday.com/sports/profe...
‘Offense is our biggest issue’: Scoring again hard to come by for Blues in loss to Islanders
In a 3-1 loss to the Islanders on Saturday night at UBS Arena, the Blues once again struggled to score, as Jake Neighbours’ power-play goal in the third period was
www.stltoday.com
November 24, 2024 at 1:57 PM
Blues during warmup ahead of Islanders:
Buchnevich-Thomas-Kyrou
Saad-Schenn-Neighbours
Holloway-Faksa-Joseph
Toropchenko-Sundqvist-Walker

Suter-Parayko
Perunovich-Faulk
Joseph-Kessel

Binnington
Hofer
November 24, 2024 at 12:08 AM
Jordan Binnington vs. Ilya Sorokin tonight at UBS Arena on Long Island.
November 24, 2024 at 12:00 AM
Women’s pro hockey game in St. Louis part of a push to grow the sport www.stltoday.com/sports/profe...
Women’s pro hockey game in St. Louis part of a push to grow the sport
A PWHL game is coming to Enterprise Center in 2025, a continuation of the St. Louis Blues' effort to grow women's hockey.
www.stltoday.com
November 23, 2024 at 1:28 PM
Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington 'proud' to tie record for most wins in franchise history www.stltoday.com/sports/profe...
Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington 'proud' to tie record for most wins in franchise history
Jordan Binnington earned his 151th career win during a 3-2 shootout win over the Sharks on Thursday night, tying Mike Liut on the franchise leaderboard.
www.stltoday.com
November 23, 2024 at 1:24 PM
How a late shootout switch by the Blues paid dividends in a win over the Sharks www.stltoday.com/sports/profe...
How a late shootout switch by the Blues paid dividends in a win over the Sharks
Neighbours’ goal lifted the Blues to just their second win in the last eight games and also snapped a four-game losing streak at Enterprise Center.
www.stltoday.com
November 22, 2024 at 12:53 PM
Most shots on goal in a period this season for the Blues:
1. 22 in the first at San Jose (Oct. 10).
2. 15 in the first vs. San Jose (tonight).
November 22, 2024 at 1:47 AM