Drew Bannister is returning as coach of the St. Louis Blues after getting the interim tag removed from his title and being named Tuesday to the full-time role.
He signed a two-year contract that gives him the chance to oversee a bit of organizational retooling but also show he can get the most out of a roster stocked with veteran talent. The expectation is still for the Blues to contend for a playoff spot in the Western Conference with Bannister in charge.
Bannister, 50, replaced Craig Berube when the 2019 Stanley Cup-winning coach was fired in December. The Blues went 30-19-5 after Bannister took over and finished six points out of a playoff spot.
Three weeks after the regular season ended, and after discussing just two other potential candidates with his inner circle, president of hockey operations and general manager Doug Armstrong opted against making another change and decided to keep Bannister in the job.
Rep. Greene and Speaker Johnson meet for a second day as possible vote on his ouster simmers
Sen. Alex Padilla emerges as persistent counterforce for immigrants
Indiana voters to pick party candidates in competitive, multimillion dollar primaries
Hamas is reviewing an Israeli proposal for a cease
Analysis: Brooks Koepka has a big game. He doesn't need a lot of words
The REAL reason Garden Rescue host Charlie Dimmock never shows her own home's garden on screen
Five people were shot outside a club in Washington, D.C., police say
A woman might win the presidency of Mexico. What could that mean for abortion rights?
Penske suspends Cindric, 3 others ahead of the Indianapolis 500
SZA and Keke Palmer are set to star in a buddy comedy from producer Issa Rae
With help from AI, Randy Travis got his voice back. Here's how his first song post
Uli Hoeneß and Thomas Tuchel expose divisions at Bayern Munich before Real Madrid clash