December 12, 2023 | 6:57pm ET
TheFourthPeriod.com

BERUBE’S JOB IN JEOPARDY IN ST. LOUIS?

Blues head coach Craig Berube

The St. Louis Blues sit one point out of a wildcard spot in the Western Conference with a 13-13-1 record, and while it is still early in the season, there appears to be growing concern over the team’s performance.

Blues GM Doug Armstrong has been quietly combing the trade market, like many of his counterparts, as he evaluates his team and the lack of overall success, to this point.

The Blues tried to trade forward Jakub Vrana this week before placing him on waivers earlier today, but a big deal to shake up the lineup does not seem to be presently in the cards.

While a significant roster move may not be imminent, a change off the ice could be on the horizon if the team does not begin to respond and climb the standings.

During Tuesday’s “Insider Trading” segment on TSN, Darren Dreger reported that Blues Head Coach Craig Berube could be the casualty of his club’s inconsistent play if things do not improve.

“There’s growing discontent and frustration there at all levels,” Dreger said. “The team just isn’t responding the way that management and ownership expected that they would to this point in the season.

“This Blues team is not that hard-checking team that the organization is accustomed to seeing. So, the players either adjust and change, or management – in this case Doug Armstrong – is going to have to step in. And if they don’t change, if there isn’t an adjustment, you could see a very good coach, Craig Berube, on his way out.”

Berube stepped behind the Blues’ bench as interim coach on Nov. 19, 2018 and guided the club to its first Stanley Cup that season. He took over as the full-time bench boss on June 24, 2019 and is under contract through the 2024-25 season.

A coaching change may be the final straw for the Blues, though Armstrong is expected to continue to explore the trade market.