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Ken Hitchcock will remain head coach of Blues

By Dave Stevenson

Mar 6, 2016; Saint Paul, MN, USA; St. Louis Blues head coach Ken Hitchcock in the third period against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. The St. Louis Blues beat the Minnesota Wild 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 6, 2016; Saint Paul, MN, USA; St. Louis Blues head coach Ken Hitchcock in the third period against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. The St. Louis Blues beat the Minnesota Wild 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /
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Ken Hitchcock has signed a one year extension to remain as the head coach of the Blues after a successful playoff run. 

The job security of St. Louis Blues head coach Ken Hitchcock was definitely in question at the beginning of the 2015-16 season. Despite having a ton of regular season success with the Blues, Hitchcock could never carry that success over to the postseason.

That changed during the 2015-16 postseason, as the Blues advanced to the Western Conference Finals before losing to the San Jose Sharks. It seems that was enough to secure Hitchcock’s return as he will be returning to the Blues on a one year deal. Hitchcock likely wanted a one year deal because of his old age. A one year deal allows him to decide whether he wants to coach after next season.

From NHL.com:

"In 2015-16, Hitchcock led the Blues to a 49-24-9 record and 107 points – the fourth highest regular season point total in team history. In the 2016 postseason, the Blues defeated the 2015 Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks and the Western Conference’s top regular season team, the Dallas Stars, en route to their first appearance in the Western Conference Final in 15 years."

It’s a very good thing that Hitchcock is staying with the Blues. With several unrestricted free agents, including Troy Brouwer and captain David Backes, the team might look a little bit different to start the 2016-17 season. Hitchcock has done enough to show that he deserves another chance with the Blues.

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