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Matthew DeFranks

@mdefranks

St. Louis Blues writer for The St. Louis Post-Dispatch (@stltoday.bsky.social). MDeFranks@post-dispatch.com

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21.11.2024
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Latest posts by Matthew DeFranks @mdefranks

Jim Montgomery said Robert Thomas will not play tomorrow vs. Tampa Bay.

15.01.2026 18:32 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Blues during practice:
Stenberg-Schenn-Snuggerud
Neighbours-DvorskΓ½-Kyrou
Buchnevich-Bjugstad-Berggren
Toropchenko-Sundqvist-Walker
Fabbri

Fowler-Parayko
Tucker-Faulk
Mailloux-Kessel
Broberg

Binnington
Hofer

No Thomas.

15.01.2026 17:27 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Doug Armstrong joins the show as Blues set to open regular season Podcast Episode Β· Net Front Presence Β· 10/08/2025 Β· 1h 4m

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...

09.10.2025 02:32 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Assessing the Cam Fowler trade Podcast Episode Β· Net Front Presence Β· 12/17/2024 Β· 35m

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...

17.12.2024 20:20 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Game Day: Jordan Binnington, Blues to face Devils in last home game before Christmas On Nov. 27, Binnington made 32 saves vs. the Devils in his first shutout of the season, earning his 152nd win to pass Mike Liut in Blues franchise history.

Projected Blues lineup vs. New Jersey. www.stltoday.com/sports/profe...

17.12.2024 19:56 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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In that Kingston-Brantford game yesterday, Quinton Burns received a major penalty for a check from behind, which included a game misconduct.

16.12.2024 21:51 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
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.

In first comments since being fired, Drew Bannister says he's not bitter toward Blues

β€œThere’s so much more positive than this one negative. The Blues have been really good to me.” www.stltoday.com/sports/profe...

16.12.2024 18:32 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
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.

Blues activate defenseman Philip Broberg, who could return Saturday vs. Flyers www.stltoday.com/sports/profe...

30.11.2024 15:06 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
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.

β€œI 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...

30.11.2024 15:05 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
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.

Game Day: Blues to face Devils team that's without suspended forward Timo Meier www.stltoday.com/sports/profe...

27.11.2024 17:43 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

After taking a maintenance day yesterday, Robert Thomas is on the ice for a very optional Blues morning skate today.

27.11.2024 16:54 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

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.

26.11.2024 15:41 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Jim Montgomery makes impactful first impression as Blues have β€˜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.

β€œIt 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...

26.11.2024 13:17 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
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.

Why Jim Montgomery chose to coach the Blues and how Doug Armstrong coaxed him to St. Louis www.stltoday.com/sports/profe...

25.11.2024 17:35 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

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."

25.11.2024 14:58 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
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.

What Doug Armstrong said about hiring Jim Montgomery, firing Drew Bannister, their vision now and in the future, and what Montgomery has to fix.

β€œI was more than prepared to go through the peaks and the valleys with Drew until Monty became available.” www.stltoday.com/sports/profe...

24.11.2024 23:36 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
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.

Blues fire Drew Bannister, hire Jim Montgomery after 9-12-1 start to season www.stltoday.com/sports/profe...

24.11.2024 14:35 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

BREAKING: The Blues have fired Drew Bannister and hired Jim Montgomery. Montgomery has signed a five-year contract to coach the Blues.

24.11.2024 14:10 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 2
Preview
β€˜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

β€œOur 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...

24.11.2024 13:57 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

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

24.11.2024 00:08 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1

Jordan Binnington vs. Ilya Sorokin tonight at UBS Arena on Long Island.

24.11.2024 00:00 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Game Day: Jordan Binnington starts on Long Island with chance at all-time Blues win record Binnington tied the record held by Mike Liut on Thursday during a 3-2 shootout win over the Sharks.

Projected Blues lineup on Long Island. www.stltoday.com/sports/profe...

23.11.2024 17:28 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
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.

Women’s pro hockey game in St. Louis part of a push to grow the sport www.stltoday.com/sports/profe...

23.11.2024 13:28 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
During win over Sharks, Nathan Walker scores fastest goal of the NHL season Nathan Walker scored just 11 seconds into Thursday night’s eventual shootout win over San Jose, capitalizing on a poor rim by Sharks goaltender Yaroslav Askarov that was picked off by Radek Faksa.

During win over Sharks, Nathan Walker scores fastest goal of the NHL season www.stltoday.com/sports/profe...

23.11.2024 13:25 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
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.

Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington 'proud' to tie record for most wins in franchise history www.stltoday.com/sports/profe...

23.11.2024 13:24 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
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.

How a late shootout switch by the Blues paid dividends in a win over the Sharks www.stltoday.com/sports/profe...

22.11.2024 12:53 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

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).

22.11.2024 01:47 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Blues during warmup ahead of San Jose:
Buchnevich-Thomas-Kyrou
Saad-Schenn-Neighbours
Bolduc-Holloway-Joseph
Toropchenko-Faksa-Walker

Suter-Parayko
Joseph-Faulk
Perunovich-Schueneman

Binnington
Hofer

22.11.2024 00:36 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1

Jordan Binnington vs. Yaroslav Askarov tonight at Enterprise Center.

22.11.2024 00:29 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Game Day: Pierre-Olivier Joseph set to play vs. San Jose after missing three games Joseph had to be helped off the ice and was sent back to St. Louis for further re-evaluation, but was on the ice with the Blues on Tuesday and Wednesday

Optional Blues skate, so best guess at a projected lineup with Pierre-Olivier Joseph expected to return. www.stltoday.com/sports/profe...

21.11.2024 18:00 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0