Trade Deadline Looms, But Blues Have Options With Binnington

The strength of this option is that, in addition to taking advantage of Binnington’s full value, the Blues will also be committing to the direction they are going. No more speculation on what they are doing. Trading Binnington would be a clear sign the team is open for business. As a result, this could set off a domino effect on other moves. Interested teams could call on Schenn, Faulk, and anyone else they want.

Option 2: Trade Binnington After the Olympics

If Binnington starts for Team Canada and helps them win a gold medal, his value would increase even more. Teams would have proof that, despite his struggles this season, he can still perform on the big stage. We saw this happen last year during the 4 Nations Face-Off. Despite a rough season so far, Binnington rose to the challenge and helped Team Canada win the tournament.

If Binnington repeats that performance during the Olympics, his value will only rise. Furthermore, the Blues will have a strong bargaining chip. No team will be able to try to pay a lower price, citing concerns about his big-game ability.

Even if Binnington does struggle during the Olympics, his value will not drop. He will still be a former Stanley Cup champion with an extra year of control. The strength of this option is simple: it allows the Blues to get even more value with little risk.

Option 3: Keep Binnington and Reassess at the 2027 Deadline

The Blues made the playoffs last season and are similar this year. Even with some trades this season, next season could see them as contenders as young players gain experience and, hopefully, injuries decrease. If the Blues want to contend next season, they will need two goalies. Even with Joel Hofer starting, Binnington is still getting his share of starts. The Blues could keep the tandem together next season and see if things change.

If nothing changes, the Blues can trade Binnington at the 2027 Deadline. His value will not be as high, as he will be a pending free agent, but his postseason pedigree could still bring a first-round pick or a prospect.

The strength here is time. The Blues don’t have to rush a trade. If they believe they can contend next season, they can keep Binnington and still trade him next year if needed.

Option 4: Commit to Hofer and Binnington, With Hofer Starting

This is probably the least popular and least likely option. The Blues could commit to Hofer as the starting goalie going forward, while retaining Binnington as the backup. Hofer has slowly become the starter this season. Retaining Binnington would simply keep this process going while also giving the Blues the benefit of a strong tandem.

In today’s NHL, a team needs two goalies: a starter who can steal games and be the brick wall between the pipes, and a backup who can be reliable in the net. The ideal backup enters the crease, and the team’s confidence in winning is not lower or higher than it is when the starter is in. Hofer and Binnington have been a great example of that. However, the Blues do have a recent example of what happens when a team lacks two reliable goalies.

In 2022-23, the Blues signed Thomas Greiss to be Binnington’s backup. After three seasons of Jake Allen and Ville Husso being strong backups to Binnington, the Blues elected to bring in the cheaper, but experienced, option in Greiss. The move did not work out. Greiss was not reliable enough, playing in only 21 games and posting a .896 save percentage (SV%) and a 3.58 goals-against average (GAA). Binnington had to shoulder the load as a result, setting a career high in games played.

A key question is whether Binnington would accept a backup role. For this option to work, he must agree. The strength of this option is reliable goaltending as the team transitions from a rebuild to a retool. In addition, Hofer will not have to shoulder the load as quickly as a starter, as he will have the cushion of Binnington backing him up.

Is There a Clear Answer?

The option the Blues choose will depend on the direction they want to take the retool. As a result, there is no wrong answer. While some options may be preferred over others, it is not the end of the world if Binnington remains a Blue.

Writer’s Choice

I’d love Binnington to spend his career with the Blues, but moving him could improve the future by leveraging his high value. He may be their only player capable of fetching a first-round pick. I think about the 2023 Draft, when the Blues had three first-round picks as a result of selling at the deadline, and drafted Dalibor Dvorsky, Otto Stenberg, and Theo Lindstein, players with bright futures (and already showcasing them in some instances). I think following a similar route is the best option for this team.

Of the options above, I prefer the second. Along with a potential strong Olympic showing, Binnington’s value could also climb if a contending team’s starting goaltender is injured. Another team could become interested and desperate enough to overpay. Waiting until after the Olympics is the Blues’ best play.

The days leading up to the Olympics and trade deadline will be interesting. Even during the roster freeze, Olympic events may change teams’ approaches. This year’s trade season promises extra intrigue.