Report: St. Louis Blues sign GM Doug Armstrong to five-year extension

Blues GM Doug Armstrong won the NHL's general manager of the year award last season. (Mark Buckner/Getty Images)

The St. Louis Blues have signed general manager Doug Armstrong to a five-year extension, according to St. Louis Post Dispatch reporter Jeremy Rutherford.

Armstrong, the NHL's reigning general manager of the year, took over as GM in June of 2010 and helped build the team that reached the Western Conference semi-finals last season despite having one of the league's 10 lowest payrolls. His contract was set to expire after this season.

The 48-year-old former director of player personnel orchestrated the trades that landed St. Louis goalie Jaroslav Halak, forward Chris Stewart and defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk.

Armstrong's success and strong ties within the organization were key factors in the decision, according to Rutherford.

Armstrong has developed a strong relationship with new Blues owner Tom Stillman, dating to when Armstrong was director of player personnel and Stillman the team’s minority owner. The bond has only strengthened in recent months.

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The long-term commitment with Armstrong represents a big part of Stillman’s blueprint for the Blues’ management staff, following an offseason of reshuffling.

In late September, the club and Davidson mutually agreed to part ways, buying out the final three years on his contract. A month later, Davidson agreed to become president of hockey operations for the Columbus Blue Jackets.

By that time, Armstrong already had assumed control of the Blues’ hockey decisions. He reorganized the front office last June, when he promoted Dave Taylor to vice president of hockey operations. But Davidson’s departure cemented Armstrong’s role atop the management hierarchy.