In an exciting turn of events, Drew Bannister is set to take over as head coach for the St. Louis Blues, making his NHL coaching debut on Thursday night against the Ottawa Senators. Bannister, who has previously coached in the AHL with the Springfield Thunderbirds and San Antonio Rampage, brings a wealth of experience to the table.

Having worked closely with several players on the Blues' roster, Bannister is not a stranger to the team. He has coached a total of 11 players who currently make up the St. Louis lineup, including Nikita Alexandrov, Sammy Blais, Jordan Binnington, Jordan Kyrou, Joel Hofer, Mackenzie MacEachern, Hugh McGing, Jake Neighbours, Scott Perunovich, Alexey Toropchenko, and Tyler Tucker.

Bannister expressed his familiarity with the team, stating, "If you watched practice today, it was pretty easy for me to get around and talk to players. It's going to be an easier transition for them, knowing me, knowing what to expect, and how I do things on a day-to-day basis."

Coming from a highly-competitive and resilient team in Springfield, Bannister aims to instill a similar mindset in the St. Louis Blues. He emphasized that competitiveness and resilience are key areas of focus for the team moving forward.

For his debut game behind the bench, Bannister has implemented major changes to the forward lines. Notably, Pavel Buchnevich has moved back to the wing, joining the first line alongside Robert Thomas and Jordan Kyrou. Brayden Schenn will center the second line, playing alongside Brandon Saad and Kasperi Kapanen, while Jake Neighbours has shifted to the third line with Kevin Hayes and Alexey Toropchenko.

Additionally, Hugh McGing and Mackenzie MacEachern, who have recently been recalled from Springfield, will form the fourth line with Oskar Sundqvist in the middle. On the defensive end, pairings remain unchanged, although Tyler Tucker is expected to return to the lineup in place of Scott Perunovich.

The team will rely on goaltender Jordan Binnington, who is set to start between the pipes, as they aim for a victory under Bannister's guidance.

When asked about his process for determining the new line combinations, Bannister revealed that he had consulted with assistant coach Steve Ott, brainstormed ideas on his plane ride, and ultimately made decisions based on what he believed would give the team the best chance to win.

Bannister emphasized the importance of having a clear plan for the team's future, while also acknowledging the contributions of the team's four captains in setting the tone for the rest of the players. He stressed the need to be more proactive and assertive in games, aiming to get the team on the right track quickly.

With Bannister at the helm, the St. Louis Blues are ready to embark on a new chapter and seek success as they face off against the Ottawa Senators. The fans eagerly await the outcome of Bannister's debut and anticipate the positive changes he will bring to the team.