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Panthers Should Not Go After Jordan Binnington

St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington blocks the shot of Nashville Predators center Steven Stamkos (Steve Roberts-Imagn Images)

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Panthers Should Not Go After Jordan Binnington

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers | By Joey Ganzi | Last updated May 3, 2026 8:35 AM ET

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The Florida Panthers eagerly await the start of next season after being eliminated a couple of weeks ago. They finished last season with a record of 40-38-4 and 84 points.

This offseason does come with a bit of uncertainty, specifically between the pipes. Both goaltenders, Sergei Bobrovsky and Daniil Tarasov, are expected to hit the market in free agency. Last season, the team traded away their future in net in Spencer Knight to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for defenseman Seth Jones and a first-round pick in this year’s draft. Granted, that first-rounder is top ten protected, but it is unknown what will be done with it. Analysts and fans have come up with speculation of St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington coming to South Florida this summer. That may not be the best idea.

Binnington Has Been Inconsistent Since His Cup Victory

In 2019, Binnington was instrumental in bringing the Blues their first-ever Stanley Cup. In that regular season, he had a .927 save percentage, 24 wins, five shutouts, and an impressive 1.89 goals-against average through 32 games. In that postseason run, he had 16 wins, a shutout, a GAA of 2.46 and a SV% of .914 through 26 games.

However, after that historic run, Binnington’s numbers fluctuated over the years. The following season, he finished the regular season with a 2.56 GAA and a SV% of .912. Granted, he played in more games that shortened season, but it is quite the drop off, and it did not get much better.

In the shortened 2021 season, his numbers dipped again. Through 41 starts, he had a GAA of 2.65 and a SV% of .910. As his career progressed, his numbers continued to fluctuate, but last season was the worst of his career. Through 41 games, he only won 13 games with a career-worst 3.33 GAA and .873 SV%. Although a change of scenery may help, his numbers are not pretty to look at.

Binnington’s Attitude Could Be Detrimental to the Team

The Panthers have never been one to shy away from physical play, and even Bobrovsky got in on the fun last season in his fight against San Jose Sharks goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic. But a player can only go so far with that, and Binnington has a notorious history of stirring the pot.

In the 2021 shortened season, he was pulled from a game against the Sharks. While he was being pulled, he tried to engage multiple Sharks players. During the 2022-23 season, he was suspended for two games for nearly starting a brawl with the Minnesota Wild after going after forward Ryan Hartman. Last season, he went after then-Edmonton Oilers forward Corey Perry after he was skated into during a scoring chance. This season, he got into a heated exchange with his head coach Jim Montgomery after being pulled in the first period against the Anaheim Ducks. His reputation could risk another suspension, leaving Florida to rely on their backup and make a call to the Charlotte Checkers.

There Are Better Options That Could Be Out There

Even with a Stanley Cup on his resume, there are much better options for general manager Bill Zito to try to get his hands on.

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck is the subject of rumors after his end-of-season interview. He was asked about his future as a Jet, and it was met with a long pause from the gold medalist. Jesper Wallstedt of the Minnesota Wild could be acquired, considering he’s in the second-to-last year of his upcoming deal. Binnington should be seen as a consolation prize rather than the grand one.

Ultimately, time will tell as to what the front office will do about their goaltending situation. But taking a chance on the St. Louis netminder would be a costly mistake.

This article first appeared on The Hockey Writers and was syndicated with permission.

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