The St. Louis Blues have been floundering around in the league's basement for most of the season, and a 4-5-1 record in their last 10 games doesn't speak to any sort of midseason improvement. They are what they are, and what they are is a bad team. As a result, a number of their players are appearing on trade boards in the media. We've written about what a Colton Parayko trade could do for the team, why now is the time to sell high on Justin Faulk, and a few trade destinations for captain Brayden Schenn.
Now, we move on to a bigger fish than those three: goaltender Jordan Binnington, who appeared at number 18 on The Athletic's latest trade board.
Binnington is having an undeniably terrible season with the Blues; there's no sugarcoating just how bad he's been, as his minus-17.5 goals saved above expected (GSAx) is second worst in the NHL, per Money Puck. He does, however, have a track record of elevating in "big game" moments--like last year's Four Nations final against the United States, stealing the game (and the gold medal) for Team Canada. He's even one of the three goaltenders named to Team Canada for next month's Olympics.
Goaltending is a volatile position, and playoff teams are always on the lookout for proven performers who could backstop a team to a Stanley Cup Championship. Binnington's done that once before, winning a Cup with the Blues in 2019, and has enough of a track record for teams to think he could bounce back with a change of scenery. That's the sort of risk a contender should be willing to take.
With one season beyond this one at $6-million AAV and a 14-team no-trade list, GM Doug Armstrong could probably find a new home for Binnington with relative ease. That would likely be the end of the Blues' season because, as good as Joel Hofer's improved lately, it's unlikely he and whatever AHL call-up would form a formidable enough tandem to get the Blues back in the playoff picture.
With Binnington's resume, Armstrong should be able to get decent value in a trade as well--maybe not a 1st-round pick or premium prospect, but certainly some useful assets that could position the Blues well for the future. It would be tough to say goodbye to the goalie who helped win the Blues' only championship title, but, at 32 years old, Binnington does not fit the timeline for a Blues rebuild. The benefits of a trade far outweigh the drawbacks.