According to reports, former St. Louis Blues head coach Davis Payne wrote current Blues head coach Jim Montgomery a sincere and unexpected message of support and wisdom that has caused a stir in the NHL community. Although the entire details of the discussion have not been made public, it has excited fans and former players who perceive it as a link between the Blues organization’s current and former leadership.
Prior to the Buffalo Sabres’ eventual ascent to Stanley Cup triumph in 2019, Davis Payne, the Blues’ head coach from 2009 to 2011, also spent some time on the bench. In St. Louis, his work with younger players and emphasis on accountability and organization are still well-remembered.
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
Three main aspects were the focus of Payne’s message to Montgomery, according to people familiar with the matter: the necessity of holding players responsible to a team-first standard, the significance of having patience during a transitional roster era, and unambiguous leadership from the bench and locker room.
According to reports, Payne wrote, “Changes in the NHL are never easy.” However, it is also there that culture is created or destroyed. This is your opportunity to not just improve procedures but also to reinterpret the St. Louis Blues’ post-championship identity.
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”
During a media availability session, Jim Montgomery recognized the outreach after learning of Payne’s message.
“I hold Davis in high regard,” Montgomery remarked. He has occupied this seat. He is aware of the expectations in this metropolis. A coach’s message means much more when it comes from someone who’s stood behind the same bench.”
Montgomery, the head coach of the Boston Bruins and former coach of the Dallas Stars, has received recognition for his emphasis on fostering a positive locker room culture and his ability to communicate. He still has difficulties in St. Louis, though, as the team is rebuilding quickly and attempting to strike a balance between the presence of veterans and the rise of younger players.
“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.
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.
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