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Blues fire Ken Hitchcock, Mike Yeo to replace him

By Dave Stevenson

Jan 2, 2017; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues head coach Ken Hitchcock walks from the bench area after defeating the against the Chicago Blackhawks during the 2016 Winter Classic ice hockey game at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2017; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues head coach Ken Hitchcock walks from the bench area after defeating the against the Chicago Blackhawks during the 2016 Winter Classic ice hockey game at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /
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The St. Louis Blues have fired head coach Ken Hitchcock, replacing him with Mike Yeo. 

When the St. Louis Blues hired Mike Yeo during 2016 offseason, the plan was for him to replace head coach Ken Hitchcock after the 2016-17 season. Hitchcock was expected to retire after the 2016-17 season, leaving the former Minnesota Wild head coach as his replacement. However, with the Blues struggling, the transition is happening now. St. Louis has fired Hitchcock and Yeo will be replacing him.

"Yeo led Minnesota to a 173-132-44 record, which included three consecutive postseason appearances, including back-to-back appearances in the second round in 2014 and 2015. Prior to his stint in Minnesota, Yeo spent one season as the head coach of the American Hockey League’s Houston Aeros, where he led the club to the 2011 Calder Cup Final."

The Blues have a 24-21-5 entering Feb. 1, but they have lost five of their last six games. On Tuesday, Jan. 31, St. Louis lost to Winnipeg 5-3. While the Blues are still in a playoff spot, they’re trending downwards. St. Louis hasn’t been able to get strong goaltending this year, as the Brian Elliott trade hasn’t worked out for them. Jake Allen and Carter Hutton have both struggled mightily this season, likely leading to the Blues’ current situation.

Yeo should ensure there isn’t much of a change from Hitchcock. The two have similar coaching styles and the former Wild head coach was preparing to take over the head coaching job after this season. Yeo will be tasked with getting more out of his goaltending and his offense. If Allen and Hutton can improve from their current numbers, St. Louis could have a quick turnaround.

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In the end, it looks like the Blues’ lack of goaltending cost Hitchcock his job. Maybe Yeo can get more out of Allen and Hutton. But without a number one goalie, things won’t get better in St. Louis.

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