Blues star has ice-cold response to Craig Berube firing

St. Louis Blues center Jordan Kyrou. Robert Edwards-USA TODAY Sports

Blues star has ice-cold response to firing of HC Craig Berube

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 12/15/23

The St. Louis Blues' decision to fire Stanley Cup-winning head coach Craig Berube, who was well-liked by many, sent shockwaves through the NHL. However, one of his former players didn't seem heartbroken over the move, hinting at issues with his former boss.

When asked about his relationship with Berube, budding center Jordan Kyrou shared a response colder than the Enterprise Center ice the Blues play on.

"I've got no comment," Kyrou said, via Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic. "He's not my coach anymore."

While Kyrou didn't say much, his lack of words spoke volumes. Furthermore, Kyrou had much more to say about the future and seemed upbeat about a fresh start under interim HC Drew Bannister, adding that the team needed to get its "culture back."

Kyrou on Bannister taking over: "Yeah, it kind of feels like a little bit of a fresh start kind of thing. Yeah, we're all excited here. We want to turn the ship around right now and get our culture back a little bit and get back to how we know how to play hockey." #stlblues
— Jeremy Rutherford (@jprutherford) December 14, 2023

The 25-year-old's reaction to Berube's firing would lead most to believe that Berube had lost the room. However, several teammates, including captain Brayden Schenn, reacted much differently.

"The first emotions are you feel guilty and you feel responsible for a lot of it," Schenn said of Berube's firing, via Bally Sports Midwest. "That one really stings for me, personally. We've had him for so long and he's been so good to me throughout my career."

Meanwhile, longtime Blues netminder Jordan Binnington called out his teammates to take accountability following Berube's firing, telling reporters that those unwilling to put in the work needed to "get out of here."

Hearing the team's veterans speak about Berube makes Kyrou's choice of words stand out even more. There was potentially a clash of personalities between the grizzled coach and the rising young star, but it's clear there was an issue, and it may have bled onto the ice.

Kyrou emerged as one of the team's best up-and-coming players, exploding for 148 points over the last two seasons. However, after inking an eight-year, $65 million deal ahead of the 2023-24 campaign, he's struggled, recording only five goals (17 points) in 28 games.

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