Just spoke with #STLBlues GM Doug Armstrong for an extended conversation on The @TimMcKernanShow.

You can listen to the conversation by clicking here or by subscribing for free on iTunes or wherever you podcast:

http://insidestl.com/the-tim-mckernan-show-ep-348-doug-armstrong/2018421

Some highlights of the interview below:

On the #NHL returning to the ice:

#STLBlues GM Doug Armstrong: "I’m fairly confident. I know the commissioner and the NHLPA are working on a formula that will allow us to crown a champion.”

Armstrong on 2020 playoffs: “Right now, there’s a lot of talk about a 24 team playoff. That’s the latest one. They’ve come to the realization that they probably can’t get all 31 teams to finish their regular season. If that 24 team playoff doesn’t work out then you can go to 16"

Armstrong on how a 24 team playoff system would impact the #STLBlues sitting at the #1 seed in the Western Conference (1 of 2):

“Do the top eight teams get a bye and do the other 16 play for eight spots? And then you get down to your 16. (continued)

Armstrong continued: "But then there’s the concern that those eight teams will have played three to five games and your team hasn’t played in five to six months, and is that fair to you? There are a lot of things going on behind the scenes, and I know they’re working on that.”

Armstrong on the #NHL's idea of teams playing in "pod cities:" (1 of 2)

“The quickest way to get back is to get into pod cities. I don’t want to say sequester everyone, but get everyone under one roof. And then let it play out from there. (continued)

Armstrong continued: "Whether it’s two or four cities, I think that’s something that they’re debating now. Can you do it in two cities? Do you need four cities? I’m not 100% that it has to be in division. I think it can be in conference.”

#STLBlues GM Doug Armstrong on Alex Pietrangelo speaking on The @TimMcKernanShow (1 of 3):

When we left our GM meetings in March, we were still playing hockey...(continued)

Armstrong (2 of 3): and there was an indication that the salary cap would be—if 81.5 is the upper limit now, they were talking 84to 88—so we had an idea of our flexibility. Obviously, with the pandemic and the NHL system, it’s 50-50 revenues with the players for the cap. (cont)

Armstrong (3 of 3): So, we have to make an adjustment.
But, I know from the St. Louis Blues’ perspective, we're going do everything we can to get Alex Pietrangelo under contract and keep him here. And I know that’s what he wants."

Armstrong on the salary cap impacting the ability for the #STLBlues to keep Pietrangelo (1 of 2):

"It's just a timing issue now. We signed Scandella. That doesn't really affect that. He's a left shot player who replaced Bouwmeester" (continued)

Armstrong on Pietrangelo and the salary cap (2 of 2):

"We're going to have to get creative. And Alex wants to be a part of this, and we want him to be part of it. So, our job is when we find out all the details (on the cap), we get to work and make sure that he retires a Blue."