In the world of hockey, Doug Armstrong has been making headlines this summer, not only in his role as the general manager of the St. Louis Blues, but also as the Team Canada Olympic GM. As he focuses on shaping the roster for the February 2026 Olympics, which aims to defend the best-on-best Olympic titles from 2010 and 2014, Armstrong has a lot on his plate.
The recent signings of Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway through offer sheets on Aug. 13 made waves in the quiet offseason. This rare success story was a strategic move by Armstrong, who saw an opportunity to bolster his team’s lineup during a time when most teams are dormant.
Reflecting on the signings, Armstrong shared, “When the moons aligned correctly, it was an opportunity for us to stay true to our core values of what we’re trying to build right now and that’s putting players in that age bracket and it ended up working out.”
The decision to pursue both players through offer sheets was a calculated one, with Armstrong emphasizing that the goal was to secure both talents, not just one. “We structured it that way in an attempt to get both players,” Armstrong explained. “We scouted them. We’ve watched their development. We thought there was a chance that we could get both when you looked at the Oilers’ contracts coming up and it ended up working out that way.”
Looking ahead, Armstrong is focused on building a sustainable team that can compete at a high level for years to come. With a solid foundation of young talent, including double-digit players drafted in the first round over a span of several years, the Blues are poised for success.
As Armstrong navigates the complexities of managing two high-profile positions, his passion for the sport and commitment to excellence shine through. With the 2026 Olympics on the horizon, the hockey world will be watching eagerly to see how Armstrong shapes Team Canada’s roster and leads his team to victory.
