A Seismic Shift Looms for the Blues: Is Jordan Binnington's Time in St. Louis Coming to an End? This week is shaping up to be a period of significant transformation for the St. Louis Blues. While there's been considerable buzz surrounding their forward cornerstone, Robert Thomas, with numerous teams expressing interest, the team has also been quietly fielding inquiries about their starting goaltender, Jordan Binnington, over the past several months. Now, it appears these discussions are reaching a critical point, as reports suggest the Blues are 'ready to move on' from Binnington, with many feeling a trade is an 'almost certain conclusion.'
But here's where it gets interesting: this signals a stark departure from the recent sentiment surrounding Binnington. Not long ago, the prevailing thought was that the Blues were merely listening to offers, not actively pursuing a trade. He wasn't a prominent name on most trade radars, and when he did appear, it was typically in a lower ranking. For instance, a recent update placed him as a 'bubble player' outside the top 40, and he was ranked 24th on one major trade bait list and 43rd on another.
And this is the part most people miss: the futures of both Binnington and Thomas in St. Louis are likely intertwined. It wouldn't make strategic sense for a team navigating the delicate balance between a moderate retool and a more aggressive rebuild to part with one star player of their caliber without considering the other. Therefore, it's logical that the increased interest in Thomas from teams like the Mammoth and Sabres has seemingly prompted general manager Doug Armstrong to become more open to exploring a move for Binnington.
Now, let's talk about Binnington's trade value – it's a real head-scratcher. On one hand, he boasts a contract that's quite attractive for a starting goalie who, while inconsistent at times, has proven his capabilities. His cap hit is $6MM and his contract expires after next season. Furthermore, he's coming off an impressive international performance, serving as Team Canada's starter for two consecutive years. He was instrumental in Canada's championship win at the 4 Nations Face-Off last season and delivered a solid .917 save percentage in five games during last month's Winter Olympics, helping Canada secure a silver medal. Add to that his Stanley Cup championship and Calder Trophy finalist status, and his playoff record has generally been above average.
However, this stellar international resume shouldn't completely overshadow a rather stark reality: Binnington has statistically been the NHL's worst starting goaltender this season, plain and simple. While the Blues' skaters have performed defensively below average, their struggles haven't been catastrophic. Binnington's save percentage of .867 and his 8-18-6 record in 31 starts this year are more indicative of his individual performance than a reflection of the team in front of him. This is especially true when you consider that his backup, Joel Hofer, has posted a .899 save percentage with a similar workload. The advanced analytics paint an even clearer picture: Binnington's goals saved above expected (-23.8) are the lowest in the league, according to MoneyPuck.
Here's where the situation gets even more compelling: Hofer's recent strong performances and his promising track record as a prospect make moving on from Binnington a more sensible path for the Blues. It could also be an opportunity for St. Louis to maximize their return value now, allowing an acquiring team to potentially get two playoff runs out of Binnington before he hits free agency. Hofer, on the other hand, has another year remaining on his contract at $3.4MM before he becomes an arbitration-eligible free agent. He's now even in goals saved above expected for the season after a shaky start, mirroring Binnington's struggles, and has a 14-11-3 record to show for it. Notably, his save percentage in his last 15 outings is .905, which aligns with his career average.
So, the big question remains: is this the right move for the Blues? With Binnington's recent struggles contrasting with his past successes and international acclaim, and with Hofer showing signs of emerging as a reliable option, the team seems to be at a crossroads. What are your thoughts? Do you agree that it's time for the Blues to part ways with Jordan Binnington, or do you believe he can still be a key piece for their future? Let us know in the comments below!
