Is it finally time to move on from someone who could be considered the greatest goaltender in St. Louis Blues franchise history?
Watching Jordan Binnington play this season has been a roller coaster of emotions. When he is on, he is on. But, when he is off, it is tragic.
Should the Blues look to back-up goaltender Joel Hofer, either before the end of this season or the beginning of next? Or, do they point their eyes toward free agency, and try and snag a solid goaltender for a hefty price tag?
The rest of 2024-25?
With 34 games to go before the end of the regular season, Binnington should be in the driver's seat. If this team can get over the hump and make a playoff appearance, it will be because of his play over the next few months.
As I alluded to earlier, when he is on, he is on. On the year as a whole, Binnington is 13-17-3 with three shutouts. He has a 2.86 goals-against average and has saved .898 percent of his shots he has faced.
If things start to go by the wayside in March, by either being completely out of the race for the playoffs or worse, let the two goalies split starts. Give Hofer a chance to show what he can do.
The future?
Even though Binnington is on the hook until the end of the 2026-27 season, at $6 Million AAV, he could be moved before then. There are a few options that the Blues can take.
The first is to just move on from Binnington entirely and find him a new home. We have seen a few occasions this season of teams going and just swapping goalies, one-for-one. This is a logical situation, as he may just need a new place of scenery after so many years in the Lou.
Second, there could be a swap between Hofer and Binnington. Gradually, the Blues can make the starts between these two dead even, and then decide on who should remain as the starter and who is the backup. It all comes down to who can handle the pressure of 50+ games a season and giving this team the best chance to win hockey games.
Thirdly, the Blues can waive him in the offseason in hopes of bringing in new blood. This upcoming free agency market for goalies is not a bad idea, with the headliners being Adin Hill of Vegas and Charlie Lindgren of Washington. Bringing in one of those two guys by erasing Binnington’s $6 Million a year deal, could be the jumpstart this franchise needs.
Finally, they ride it out to the end of Binnington’s contract. He is still the franchise’s quote-on-quote, “best goaltender of all time”. This season has just been a rough patch, that happens all the time with any goalie. It is very rare to see any goalie have a decade-plus of dominance without hitting one rocky year. He can turn the corner with the end of this season and make next year spectacular.