After another disastrous loss, the St. Louis Blues have fallen even further behind the rest of the pack in the Central Division playoff race. It was an ugly loss up in Boston, and things are starting to spiral a bit.
There is a case to be made for goaltender Jordan Binnington’s place on this roster for the rest of this season. But, if General Manager Doug Armstrong were to pull the trigger and trade away the franchise-leader in wins, where and what kind of return would be expected?
Let’s look at some hypothetical’s, and what the Blues could get back.
Edmonton Oilers
One of the few teams that is also in dire need of goaltending help is the Edmonton Oilers. Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard have not been able to get their mojo going, and Edmonton has suffered despite a talented offensive group.
In trading Binnington, Skinner is an option, as he could be looking for a change in scenery. If not a 1-for-1 goaltending swap, the Oilers have a solid defensive unit, and it could potentially sway Jake Walman or even Darnell Nurse to the ‘Lou.
Toronto Maple Leafs
The hockey world is freaking out due to the inability to keep goaltenders healthy in Toronto. Anthony Stolarz, who was supposed to be their long-term starter, has been hurt for quite a while, but will be back as soon as December 8. Backup Joseph Woll recently went on the injury report.
The Maple Leafs need goaltending, and the Blues have the perfect fit for them. If Stolarz needs more time to heal, and the Blues can wait on having him long-term, going with Hofer for now is an option for the Blues if they decide to pack it in this season. The Leafs cannot wait, as they have a playoff-ready roster. The Blues do not.