This is a good read going into Bill Armstrong's background and why he believes he has done well as a scout. Basically, as a former minor league coach, he looks for certain things he looked for as a coach, beyond the obvious stuff.
This is the big takeaway from this article, IMO...
Note, that while the Blues made six straight trip to the playoffs, a streak which ended last season, they have built one of the league's top ranked farm systems without having a pick higher than No. 20 in Bill Armstrong's eight drafts.
Armstrong will keep his title as Director of Amateur Scouting, so he will be a dual hat guy while also overseeing the Blues affiliate in San Antonio.
My note - now that the Blues have control of their AHL team and have hired a coach who is outstanding at developing players in Drew Bannister, hopefully the farm system ranking will translate into the players who haven't really had a chance to develop properly making some impact down the road, not just the highly ranked prospects. Having the right coach, control of the system, and drafting the right types of players for the team's system is what has put the Lightning where they are today. Only now, the Lightning farm system has to re-stock thanks to trades, injuries, and call-ups over the past three seasons trying to win now. It looks like the Blues are finally on that path.
And other related news:
Barret Jackman is not returning.
• Kevin McDonald, Blues assistant general manager, named general manager of the San Antonio Rampage, the Blues’ American Hockey League affiliate, as well as a pro scout for the Blues.
Go to about the 54 second mark. McDonald vs Yeo
• Glen Wesley, a former NHL defenseman, named a development coach.
• Ryan Miller named director of hockey operations.
• Dave Farrish named pro scout.
• Added former Blues defenseman J.J. Daigneault and former Blues assistant coach Daniel Tkaczuk as assistants on Rampage coach Drew Bannister’s staff.