With his fifth shutout of the 2025-26 season, St. Louis Blues goaltender Joel Hofer is now flirting with franchise history. He is over the halfway mark to tying Brian Elliott's nine shutouts in 2011-12, with a good amount of time left to do it.
Could this season, filled with such lackluster play in just about every area of the ice, produce a franchise record after all? Let's talk about it.
Comparing to Elliott's run in 2011-12
Back in 2011-12, the Blues were in the midst of a competitive era of hockey. It was the start of six-straight playoff appearances, and in that initial year, they were the the top-team of the Central Division.
Definitely a different vibe and outlook than the current team in 2025-26. Hofer is commanding the worst-place team in the Central Division, and this team is heading into a period of development, not contending for the Stanley Cup. That alone should stand out.
Good bit of time left in 2025-26
The Blues have 19 games remaining for the rest of the 2025-26 season. They are eight points back, but have played one more game than the team sitting in the second wildcard spot, Seattle. That is a lot of time to make up ground for a playoff spot, and for Hofer to try and overtake a Blues record.
He needs four more shutouts to tie Elliott. Of the 19 games left, the Blues have to face Anaheim once more, Utah once more, Winnipeg two more times, and Carolina one more time. Those are the teams that he has shut out already this season.
It is entirely possible for him to set this franchise record.
Should get the majority of starts
For what it is worth, if the playoffs continue to stay out of reach for this team, there is a sense that it will be Hofer going for most of the rest of the way. This offseason could lead to the departure of Jordan Binnington, thus handing the keys over to Hofer as the starter for 2026-27.
The time for transitioning from No. 50 to No. 30 could be happening right in front of our eyes. And with that, he has ample time to pass Elliott for the record for most shutouts in a single season in Blues history.