If you told a St. Louis Blues fan in the summer of 2019 that Jordan Binnington might be on the trade block, they would have called you crazy. Binnington was the ultimate underdog story, famously carrying a last-place team all the way to a Stanley Cup victory over the Boston Bruins. Fast forward to today, and the reality in St. Louis has drastically shifted. The Blues are knee-deep in a massive roster retool, and they’ve uncovered an incredible surprise in the crease: Joel Hofer. Selected 107th overall in the 2018 NHL Draft, Hofer has quietly evolved from second-fiddle into a legitimate starting option, making Binnington expendable.
With general manager Doug Armstrong already shipping out Captain Brayden Schenn to the New York Islanders, the writing is on the wall: the old guard is being dismantled. No one is safe. And as Alex Steen prepares to take the GM reins ahead of the June 2026 NHL Draft, moving Binnington could be his first defining blockbuster move. Here’s my insight into why a Jordan Binnington trade makes perfect sense for the St. Louis Blues.
Why Joel Hofer Makes a Jordan Binnington Trade Feasible
In the modern NHL, you simply cannot dedicate elite money to a goaltender if you have a younger, cheaper option providing similar value. Hofer’s ascent is the primary catalyst here. He has proven he can handle the intense pressure of NHL starts, giving the front office the confidence they need to explore the trade market.
From a personal evaluation standpoint, I’ve always respected Binnington’s competitive fire. He recently played for the Canadian team that unfortunately came up short of winning a gold medal at the 2026 Olympics in Milan, Italy. However, his tenure hasn’t been without controversy. He’s gained a level of infamy in recent years due to succumbing to emotional outbursts on the ice, especially in high-stakes or playoff situations. While his passion is undeniable, a rebuilding team looking for steady, calm leadership might see this as the perfect time to turn the page.
Navigating Binnington’s Contract and Alex Steen’s Vision
Trading a veteran goalie is rarely simple, but the mechanics of Binnington’s contract actually favor a move this offseason. His contract carries a hefty $6 million average annual value (AAV) cap hit that expires at the end of the 2026-27 season. More importantly, his modified no-trade clause transitions into a 10-team no-trade list. This critical contractual shift opens up significantly more opportunities for the St. Louis Blues to find a willing trade partner.
When Alex Steen officially takes over as GM this June, he will want to forge his own identity. The Blues have nothing to lose as they continue to blow up the old roster. Moving a $6 million cap hit off the books would give Steen the financial flexibility to reshape the defense or add top-six scoring. Expect the goalie carousel to spin wildly this summer, with Binnington’s name right at the center of it.
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