The 2026-27 season has officially started with a 2-1 loss for the St. Louis Blues against the Dallas Stars. Overall, it was a pretty good look for a lot of the prospects showcased, as well as some of the key players fighting for roster spots.
There was one area, and one player in particular, that had a bit of a sour taste. Jordan Binnington got the start in net in what could be the most pivotal season of his storied career, and it did not go well.
Let’s talk about it.
Rough start
Just 16 seconds in, Dallas walked down the ice and put one past Binnington to open the scoring. Not a good look for a goaltender who is already slated to be pushed to the backup spot.
Not to mention, this is a contract year, which means that poor play could result in him being expendable at the trade deadline in March. Another team can see his Stanley Cup win as a valid reason to make a move for him, and at this time and stage of the Blues, it does not make sense to retain him past this season.
Binnington settled in a little after the goal, facing a pretty good Stars prospect group featuring Arttu Hyry and Justin Ertel. That came crashing down a little when defenseman Colin Ralph went for the puck carrier before the end of the second period, which sprung Stars forward Jake Becker for a breakaway. No. 50 made an initial save, and then it somehow, someway trickled through as he awkwardly stood in the crease.
Jack Becker scores on a breakaway to give Dallas a 2-1 lead late in the second.
— Owen Newkirk (@OwenNewkirk) September 20, 2026
Becker is an assist away from a Gordie Howe hat trick. pic.twitter.com/fhjun5aLRE
All around, it was not an appealing look for Binnington. Even though it was only preseason, there is some cause for concern.
Implications on regular season
Binnington can still fight for the starting spot. He saved 16 of 18 shots, but those two goals were the difference-makers. Again, these games don’t count, but against fringe NHLers and a bunch of prospects, No. 50 should have been lights out.
This performance paints the picture that Joel Hofer is the rightful starter and successor to Binnington. The time is now to make the change official, and now we await what Hofer can do in net this preseason.
If things go well, Binnington's days are numbered, and his play last season and the poor performance in the first preseason game are going to be labeled " the beginning of the end". He faced a giant hill to climb before the preseason, and now that hill just got 10 times bigger.
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