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The Arizona Coyotes on Wednesday moved toward naming St. Louis Blues assistant general manager Bill Armstrong as their new general manager.
NHL sources confirmed that Armstrong, who as of Wednesday afternoon was still listed as assistant GM and director of amateur scouting on the Blues’ official website, is the leading candidate for the Coyotes’ job and was close to becoming the Coyotes’ general manager.
An announcement wasn’t expected to be made before Thursday.
Steve Sullivan, general manager of the Tucson Roadrunners, the Coyotes’ American Hockey League affiliate, has been serving as interim general manager since the team parted ways with former GM John Chayka.
Sullivan, who had been a candidate for the Coyotes GM job, was assistant general manager under Chayka, who on July 24 informed the Coyotes that he was terminating his contract. The Coyotes released a statement two days later expressing their disappointment in his decision as the team prepared to head to the NHL “bubble” in Edmonton to resume the 2019-20 season.
Armstrong, 50, has made his biggest mark on the Blues in the NHL draft. The team credits him for the selection of former goaltender Jake Allen (traded earlier this month), defenders Colton Parayko and Robby Fabbri and center Robert Thomas. All were part of the Stanley Cup-winning roster in 2018-19.
Armstrong has been with the Blues since 2004, when he was brought in as a scout. He’s headed the team’s amateur scouting department in 2010. Armstrong was promoted to assistant general manager in 2018.
With less than three weeks to go before the NHL draft begins, the Coyotes have been looking to hire a GM since losing their first-round playoff series with the Colorado Avalanche 4 games to 1. Other decisions the new general manager must make include whether to re-sign free agents and exploring potential trades.
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