In a surprising and heartfelt moment that has sent ripples through the NHL community, former St. Louis Blues head coach Davis Payne has reportedly sent a message of support and insight to current Blues head coach Jim Montgomery. The exchange, though not publicly detailed in full, has stirred excitement among fans and former players who see it as a bridge between past and present leadership within the Blues organization.
Davis Payne, who served as head coach of the Blues from 2009 to 2011, also spent time on the bench with the Buffalo Sabres as an assistant coach. Though his head coaching tenure in St. Louis was brief, Payne played a role in laying the groundwork for the team’s eventual rise to Stanley Cup glory in 2019. His work with younger players and emphasis on structure and accountability are still remembered fondly in St. Louis.
Now, years later, Payne has taken it upon himself to share some of his perspective with Jim Montgomery—a coach currently navigating the weighty task of restoring the Blues to playoff prominence after a few seasons of inconsistency.
THE MESSAGE: PATIENCE, LEADERSHIP, AND ACCOUNTABILITY
According to sources close to the situation, Payne’s message to Montgomery focused on three key pillars: patience during a transitional roster phase, clear leadership from the bench and locker room, and the importance of holding players accountable to a team-first standard.
“Transitions in the NHL are never easy,” Payne reportedly wrote. “But they’re also where culture is built or broken. You have a chance here—not just to fix systems, but to redefine what the St. Louis Blues stand for post-championship.”
The Blues, who have been treading water since missing the playoffs in back-to-back seasons, are searching for their identity. With cornerstone players like Brayden Schenn, Robert Thomas, and Jordan Kyrou leading the next chapter, the team is young, talented, but in need of direction. That’s where Montgomery comes in—and where Payne’s advice may prove valuable.
MONTGOMERY RESPONDS: “A COACH’S MESSAGE MEANS EVEN MORE WHEN IT COMES FROM EXPERIENCE”
Upon hearing of Payne’s message, Jim Montgomery spoke with reporters during a media availability session and acknowledged the outreach.
“I’ve got a lot of respect for Davis,” Montgomery said. “He’s been in this seat. He knows what this city expects. A coach’s message means even more when it comes from someone who’s stood behind the same bench.”
Montgomery, who previously coached the Dallas Stars and most recently served as head coach of the Boston Bruins, has been praised for his communication skills and emphasis on positive locker room culture. Still, he faces challenges in St. Louis as the team rebuilds on the fly, trying to balance veteran presence with the emergence of younger stars.
“We’re trying to find our game,” Montgomery continued. “We’ve got talent, no doubt. But we need consistency. And part of that is culture. Hearing from a guy like Davis, who worked with young rosters and saw them grow, is reassuring.”
PAST CONNECTING TO PRESENT
Though Davis Payne’s stint with the Blues didn’t produce playoff success, many credit him for developing future stars and helping establish a professional culture. Players like Alex Pietrangelo and David Perron blossomed under Payne’s tenure, and that foundation eventually led to the Blues’ first Stanley Cup win under Craig Berube in 2019.
Now, with Berube no longer behind the bench and Montgomery steering the ship, Payne’s outreach symbolizes a kind of passing of the torch—not just from coach to coach, but from one era of the Blues to the next.
“Coaching is more than Xs and Os,” Payne said in an interview years ago. “It’s about getting guys to believe in each other, to sacrifice for the name on the front of the jersey.”
That philosophy may be exactly what the Blues need today.
BLUES FANS REACT TO THE MESSAGE
St. Louis fans, never short on passion or memory, reacted with excitement and nostalgia when news of Payne’s message broke.
“Davis Payne didn’t win us a Cup, but he laid a lot of the bricks,” one fan tweeted. “Respect to him for staying connected and caring about this team.”
Another wrote, “Jim Montgomery is a great hire, and it’s awesome to see the coaching brotherhood lifting each other up. This is the kind of leadership we need.”
Local sports radio also buzzed with conversation around Payne’s message, with some hosts speculating that he might eventually rejoin the league in a consulting or advisory role. Others debated whether his coaching style would complement Montgomery’s approach in the current NHL landscape.
LOOKING AHEAD: THE BLUES’ ROAD TO REDEMPTION
The St. Louis Blues are in a delicate position. No longer the underdog champions of 2019, yet not quite a full rebuild team either, they find themselves straddling the line between contention and retooling.
General manager Doug Armstrong has made it clear that he believes in the core group, but adjustments are needed both in roster composition and mindset. That’s where coaching becomes paramount—and why a message like Davis Payne’s can carry weight.
Jim Montgomery has already begun to institute changes—altering special teams strategy, shifting defensive pairings, and increasing accountability behind closed doors. With a strong support staff and a renewed focus on identity, the Blues are hoping to re-establish themselves as a force in the Western Conference.
FINAL WORDS: A CITY, A LEGACY, A CULTURE
At its heart, this story is about connection. About one coach reaching out to another not because of headlines, but because of care—for the game, for the team, and for the city. It’s the kind of moment that underscores what makes hockey special: the camaraderie, the mentorship, and the ongoing commitment to doing things the right way.
As the St. Louis Blues continue their journey back to relevance, they’ll need all the help they can get—from players, management, and yes, even coaches of the past.
And if Davis Payne’s message is any indication, the foundation for success isn’t just being laid—it’s being remembered, respected, and rebuilt.