3 Reasons Blues' Binnington Is Available For Trade

Despite the St. Louis Blues scoring a little more, they are still having a rough go in net, more so with Jordan Binnington. At this point in his contract and where the Blues are, he has the potential to be traded this season.

According to Chris Johnston, "Jordan Binnington's name is at least a little in the rumor mill. I think it's more just the fact that it's not going well in St. Louis, there's not a ton of goaltenders out there available for trade, he's one year (from UFA)."

The Blues are 11-12-7, have a -27 goal differential, and have allowed the most goals in the league (104), tied with the Vancouver Canucks. Joel Hofer, the younger backup, has played in three of the last four games and has allowed two goals, recording one shutout and two wins. Even though the Blues aren't doing well this season, they are technically two points out of a playoff spot.

Pieces have to be changed around. The team can't depend on big streaks to give themselves a little bit of a chance each season and generally not play very well. The goals against also have to change as a team with the most goals against isn't going to make it into the playoffs through an entire season.

Binnington is signed through next season at $6 million AAV, but has a 3.29 GAA and .875 SV%. He has a -7.74 goals saved above expected, which is very bad, and has as many quality starts (8) as he does really bad starts this season. For reference, he has had 176 quality starts to 50 really bad starts in his career prior to this season and never a closer QS/RBS ratio than his 27 QS and 13 RBS in 2022-23.

Binnington has a 14-team no-trade list this season and it drops to a 10-team no-trade list next season. It shouldn't be too difficult in that regard to find a trade partner because there will be desperate teams. The Blues should be willing to retain half of his contract, given the numbers he's putting up, if they want any sort of return. Something likely won't get done immediately, but more buyers and sellers will reveal themselves by the trade deadline.