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.
Pope Francis appoints new bishop in Tennessee after former bishop's resignation under pressure
TikTok star with 1.1 million followers reveals why US must pass ban on China
Masters champ Scottie Scheffler posts a 63 and leads the RBC Heritage by 1 shot
UN calls for more support as gang violence escalates in Haiti
Liberal icon Bernie Sanders is running for Senate reelection, squelching retirement rumors
Ober throws 6 solid innings as Twins stop 5
Meet the man exposing NYC's toll
Deadline for businesses to apply for their share of massive credit card company settlement looms
Lee's single in eighth ends no
New York governor regrets saying Black kids in the Bronx don't know what a computer is
Iraq investigates a blast at a base of Iran