Will Hofer see an Offer Sheet?

[so_crates]

I am wondering if a team with a lot of cap space, like the Sharks at 15m to get to the floor, make an offer that is crazy enough the Blues won't match.

Let say the Sharks offer him 4.6m. That's only a 2nd coming from the Sharks but is way out of what I personally think the Blues would match.

[dtkblueshockey]

I don't see them matching a 4.6 million dollar contract for him. They will not pay a backup that much money no matter how good they are.

Plus I don't think they would mind taking the picks and using them or potentially dealing them in other potential trades later on.

[hockey jedi]

I've got to believe teams would love to offer sheet the Blues to make a point. However, I'm sure Army knows this and will get Hofer under contract sooner than later. BTW, would we get a first round pick for Hofer in compensation? If so, I will take that. Our compensation is based on AAV, isn't it? Colton Ellis is about ready to crash the NHL party, and we have a couple of other prospect goalies that are progressing. Letting him go might even be worth a second round pick.

[netboy65]

I've got to believe teams would love to offer sheet the Blues to make a point. However, I'm sure Army knows this and will get Hofer under contract sooner than later. BTW, would we get a first round pick for Hofer in compensation? If so, I will take that. Our compensation is based on AAV, isn't it? Colton Ellis is about ready to crash the NHL party, and we have a couple of other prospect goalies that are progressing. Letting him go might even be worth a second round pick.

That’s all well and good, but I doubt Ellis is ready for the NHL workload to keep Binner fresh and rested. That means we’d have to sign some journeyman backup and that’s an iffy proposition at best.
I’m all for Hofer moving on at some point, but on our terms

[smilinjoefission]

Blues can pick up a back-up cheaper than $4.6mill...if Binnington is the man he can start 60-65 games a season.

[so_crates]

I've got to believe teams would love to offer sheet the Blues to make a point. However, I'm sure Army knows this and will get Hofer under contract sooner than later. BTW, would we get a first round pick for Hofer in compensation? If so, I will take that. Our compensation is based on AAV, isn't it? Colton Ellis is about ready to crash the NHL party, and we have a couple of other prospect goalies that are progressing. Letting him go might even be worth a second round pick.

no, 4.7 is the threshold for a first rounder. 4.6 is just a second round pick in '26

[TheJackBurton]

I've got to believe teams would love to offer sheet the Blues to make a point. However, I'm sure Army knows this and will get Hofer under contract sooner than later. BTW, would we get a first round pick for Hofer in compensation? If so, I will take that. Our compensation is based on AAV, isn't it? Colton Ellis is about ready to crash the NHL party, and we have a couple of other prospect goalies that are progressing. Letting him go might even be worth a second round pick.

That’s all well and good, but I doubt Ellis is ready for the NHL workload to keep Binner fresh and rested. That means we’d have to sign some journeyman backup and that’s an iffy proposition at best.
I’m all for Hofer moving on at some point, but on our terms

You know who will be a UFA, won't demand a lot of money, had a solid enough season as a backup, and knows St. Louis?

One Jake Allen.

I would imagine Army doesn't let Hofer go for just a second. If he can't get him signed before July 1, and gets the feeling he's going to get an offer he very likely adds him to a trade for a solid player.

[dhsux]

The Sharks coming off signing Georgiev and now he's a UFA

Haven't a clue what they are doing with him but seems to me they need to be pretty certain about their next net minder, Georgiev or whom ever, to be the real deal.

Is Joel that guy and will they or any other team go to the 4.6 to land him?

Never say never but I like the Blues position on keeping Joel for a short term bridge deal. He is heir apparent while here and a 2-3 year extension can earn him that spot or as a starter for another team at that time.

Also, I think the Blues will take the 2nd draft pick before they sign him at 4.6.

[somni]

I like Hofer, but having a 2nd rounder in the 2026 draft would be nice. It's supposedly a really strong draft and the Blues don't have a 2nd rounder.

[bluetunehead]

The Sharks coming off signing Georgiev and now he's a UFA

Haven't a clue what they are doing with him but seems to me they need to be pretty certain about their next net minder, Georgiev or whom ever, to be the real deal.

Is Joel that guy and will they or any other team go to the 4.6 to land him?

Never say never but I like the Blues position on keeping Joel for a short term bridge deal. He is heir apparent while here and a 2-3 year extension can earn him that spot or as a starter for another team at that time.

Also, I think the Blues will take the 2nd draft pick before they sign him at 4.6.

The presumed goalie of the future for the Sharks is Askarov. He’s a recent 11th overall pick. They acquired him from Nashville after he basically demanded a trade when Nashville gave Saros a big extension.

Not that San Jose couldn’t also add Hofer to the mix to hedge their bets, but it’s not Georgiev or bust over there.

[Frank Barone]

Just a guess but if Hofer's camp is looking for more money/term than Army thinks he should get, Army would probably rather trade him for a current asset than wait on an offer sheet draft pick. I think he will sign with the Blues.

[STL fan in MN]

My guess is Army and Hofer get it done but it is a bit concerning he’s still not signed. If he does sign an offer sheet, I expect it to be the exact same move the Blues did with Broberg - the exact highest dollar where the compensation would be a 2nd round pick. For this year, that’d be $4,680,076.

Hofer isn’t worth that. But Broberg wasn’t really worth his deal either…until he was. Would the Blues wreck their cap to keep Hofer at that number? I have my doubts. But would a team be willing to give Hofer that much? I have my doubts on that too.

In the end, I guess we’ll see.

[SameOldBlues]

I've got to believe teams would love to offer sheet the Blues to make a point. However, I'm sure Army knows this and will get Hofer under contract sooner than later. BTW, would we get a first round pick for Hofer in compensation? If so, I will take that. Our compensation is based on AAV, isn't it? Colton Ellis is about ready to crash the NHL party, and we have a couple of other prospect goalies that are progressing. Letting him go might even be worth a second round pick.

Wasnt Hofer a 3rd or 4rth round pick? If the Blues brass has confidence in Ellis’ potential, Id be fine with losin Hofer for a 2nd in next year’s draft.

[STL fan in MN]

I've got to believe teams would love to offer sheet the Blues to make a point. However, I'm sure Army knows this and will get Hofer under contract sooner than later. BTW, would we get a first round pick for Hofer in compensation? If so, I will take that. Our compensation is based on AAV, isn't it? Colton Ellis is about ready to crash the NHL party, and we have a couple of other prospect goalies that are progressing. Letting him go might even be worth a second round pick.

Wasnt Hofer a 3rd or 4rth round pick? If the Blues brass has confidence in Ellis’ potential, Id be fine with losin Hofer for a 2nd in next year’s draft.

Yeah, he was a 4th round pick. But why’s that matter? What matters is what he’s worth now. And he’s worth a lot more than a 2nd. The kid we'd draft with that 2nd is currently 16-17 yrs old. It’ll be many years before that kid’s maybe making an impact on our team. Parayko and Binnington were 3rd rd picks. Would it be fine to trade them for a 2nd too?

Ellis has come a long way but it’d be super risky to ask him ti be an NHL backup at this point. He might be up for it but they’d need to sign a vet and then let the vet and Ellis battle it out in camp.

We may be forced to accept a 2nd for Hofer like Edmonton was for Broberg but it wouldn’t remotely be fair value.

[theograce]

He’s big and already be of the best puck managers in the NHL.

[Inglewood Jack]

1. I don't know if goalies will be commanding offer sheets in general. Hofer has had limited exposure as a Blue with consistent starts. As a goalie, this is frustrating as one wants to get into a rhythm schedule-wise. So Hofer might want a move if he is "blocked" professionally.

2. My eye test of Hofer is that he is obviously large, and plays well positionally, but he lacks the side-to side & quickness of Binner, so I am on the fence if he is the "heir". He does play the puck well, but I have seen a lack of quickness in getting back to the net - which could bite if he misplays the puck. Hope he has a great career and if it is a HOFER career then hoping it's with the Blues. His demeanor is great. Just don't know if he is "the man" so to speak. To me he seems more "solid" than "great" - happy to be proven wrong, and it is just my opinion. In other words, at this point if at 4.6 I do not think the Blues would match.