The St. Louis Blues have reached a boiling point regarding their goaltending situation. Monday night’s loss against the Anaheim Ducks was perhaps a crucial inflexion point.
Early in the game, Jordan Binnington gave up two quick, soft goals that led to his being pulling from the game. The following heated exchange with coach Jim Montgomery was not a pleasant sight. It was reminiscent of that game some 30 years ago when the Montreal Canadiens hung Patrick Roy out to dry.
Check out what my colleague Justin Bonhard wrote on the intense situation. If Roy’s situation from 30 years ago serves as precedent, Binnington could be out the door within a couple of weeks.
But if that were the case, the St. Louis Blues would be committing one of the cardinal sins investors make: Buy high, sell low.
Yes, the NHL trade market is very much like Wall Street. Teams look to buy low and make a killing at the top. But there are times when good stocks take a pounding and then rebound. Perhaps this could be the case between Binnington and the Blues.
But even if the relationship between Binnington and the Blues has fractured beyond repair, this point in time is the worst for the Blues to trade Binnington.
After all, millions of fans saw the situation on television. 31 other general managers have seen it, too. So, who would pay up to get Binnington now? It’s like hearing about a company’s main production facility going up in flames. Who would overpay for that stock? If anything, aggressive investors would come in and try to pick up the pieces on the cheap.
Sure, the Blues may have no choice but to move Binnington now. But the timing just isn’t right.
Blues and Binnington need to solve this situation like adults
Even with the Blues struggling, GM Doug Armstrong could sell the sizzle on Binnington. But there isn’t even any sizzle to be had. The sizzle is so far removed that St. Louis would be lucky to get a couple of mid-round draft picks for Binnington at this point.
While the Blues may have already started getting calls, really, the best thing that can happen to both sides is having Binnington get back on the horse and string together a few good starts. At that point, contenders looking for a goalie could be willing to pay. Meanwhile, the Blues can sell the rebound. It wouldn’t be a question of selling the team, but selling that Binnington’s a pro, which he is.
Instead of seeing Monday night’s meltdown as indicative of the current state of affairs, the Blues can sell it as just frustration boiling over.
From my experience, it seems that Binnington is done in St. Louis. But the best course of action would be for all sides to behave like adults, get some decent games propping up Binnington’s perceived value, and get the best possible deal done.
Selling on Binnington now could go down as the worst trade in Doug Armstrong’s long career.