Harry S Deals wrote: ↑13 Jun 2025 07:37 am
The more i read about Nemec, wow he has the potential to be the RHD anchor for the franchise after CP. Sometimes with Euro dmen it can take awhile to mesh it seems but thats a trade i would definitely make if its on the table. Look what happened to Broberg esp out of the gate last year he exploded with the Blues perhaps the Blues staff can unlock Nemec as well
There would be some uncertainty with Colton Ellis, Hofer had pretty good save pct in the AHL but Ellis's stats jump off the page a bit more .924 in 16 GP in '24, .922 in 42 games this year and a .933 save pct in the playoffs. This will be intriguing to see how this plays out
There’d certainly be risk involved with moving Hofer out as we just don’t know how well Ellis would do as a backup. This is an important season and we know Binner is at his best when he’s not overworked, so we need a competent backup. If they let Hofer go, I’d expect the Blues to sign a decent journeyman type. A guy that’s probably played a fair amount in the NHL but probably slots in more as a #3 in most orgs these days. That journeyman and Ellis can then battle it out in camp for the backup job. If one is consistently way better all season, then the job is theirs. However, I’d think the most likely scenario would be Ellis and the journeyman essentially sharing the role and both going back and forth between Springfield and STL.
you're describing Jake Allen to a T, and he's gonna cost 3-4m .. why not keep Hofer
that being said, Ellis is intriguing after the season he had last year
Harry S Deals wrote: ↑13 Jun 2025 07:37 am
The more i read about Nemec, wow he has the potential to be the RHD anchor for the franchise after CP. Sometimes with Euro dmen it can take awhile to mesh it seems but thats a trade i would definitely make if its on the table. Look what happened to Broberg esp out of the gate last year he exploded with the Blues perhaps the Blues staff can unlock Nemec as well
There would be some uncertainty with Colton Ellis, Hofer had pretty good save pct in the AHL but Ellis's stats jump off the page a bit more .924 in 16 GP in '24, .922 in 42 games this year and a .933 save pct in the playoffs. This will be intriguing to see how this plays out
There’d certainly be risk involved with moving Hofer out as we just don’t know how well Ellis would do as a backup. This is an important season and we know Binner is at his best when he’s not overworked, so we need a competent backup. If they let Hofer go, I’d expect the Blues to sign a decent journeyman type. A guy that’s probably played a fair amount in the NHL but probably slots in more as a #3 in most orgs these days. That journeyman and Ellis can then battle it out in camp for the backup job. If one is consistently way better all season, then the job is theirs. However, I’d think the most likely scenario would be Ellis and the journeyman essentially sharing the role and both going back and forth between Springfield and STL.
you're describing Jake Allen to a T, and he's gonna cost 3-4m .. why not keep Hofer
that being said, Ellis is intriguing after the season he had last year
I heard someone say there are only (3) NHL teams paying $10 mi or more on their goalies, not sure Blues want to go that route and the fact that no extension has been announced makes me think Hofer may want more than the Blues are offering. If Im the Blues i offer a bridge deal for a couple years while Binnie wraps up his Blues career, $2.5-$3 but idk if Hofer would take that, apparently not.
Harry S Deals wrote: ↑13 Jun 2025 07:37 am
The more i read about Nemec, wow he has the potential to be the RHD anchor for the franchise after CP. Sometimes with Euro dmen it can take awhile to mesh it seems but thats a trade i would definitely make if its on the table. Look what happened to Broberg esp out of the gate last year he exploded with the Blues perhaps the Blues staff can unlock Nemec as well
There would be some uncertainty with Colton Ellis, Hofer had pretty good save pct in the AHL but Ellis's stats jump off the page a bit more .924 in 16 GP in '24, .922 in 42 games this year and a .933 save pct in the playoffs. This will be intriguing to see how this plays out
There’d certainly be risk involved with moving Hofer out as we just don’t know how well Ellis would do as a backup. This is an important season and we know Binner is at his best when he’s not overworked, so we need a competent backup. If they let Hofer go, I’d expect the Blues to sign a decent journeyman type. A guy that’s probably played a fair amount in the NHL but probably slots in more as a #3 in most orgs these days. That journeyman and Ellis can then battle it out in camp for the backup job. If one is consistently way better all season, then the job is theirs. However, I’d think the most likely scenario would be Ellis and the journeyman essentially sharing the role and both going back and forth between Springfield and STL.
you're describing Jake Allen to a T, and he's gonna cost 3-4m .. why not keep Hofer
that being said, Ellis is intriguing after the season he had last year
No I'm not. Allen would be one of the better backups available. I’m describing someone that’d command league minimum, $1M tops. Someone that’d likely be able to clear waivers and a salary 100% able to be buried in the minors.
Harry S Deals wrote: ↑13 Jun 2025 07:37 am
The more i read about Nemec, wow he has the potential to be the RHD anchor for the franchise after CP. Sometimes with Euro dmen it can take awhile to mesh it seems but thats a trade i would definitely make if its on the table. Look what happened to Broberg esp out of the gate last year he exploded with the Blues perhaps the Blues staff can unlock Nemec as well
There would be some uncertainty with Colton Ellis, Hofer had pretty good save pct in the AHL but Ellis's stats jump off the page a bit more .924 in 16 GP in '24, .922 in 42 games this year and a .933 save pct in the playoffs. This will be intriguing to see how this plays out
There’d certainly be risk involved with moving Hofer out as we just don’t know how well Ellis would do as a backup. This is an important season and we know Binner is at his best when he’s not overworked, so we need a competent backup. If they let Hofer go, I’d expect the Blues to sign a decent journeyman type. A guy that’s probably played a fair amount in the NHL but probably slots in more as a #3 in most orgs these days. That journeyman and Ellis can then battle it out in camp for the backup job. If one is consistently way better all season, then the job is theirs. However, I’d think the most likely scenario would be Ellis and the journeyman essentially sharing the role and both going back and forth between Springfield and STL.
you're describing Jake Allen to a T, and he's gonna cost 3-4m .. why not keep Hofer
that being said, Ellis is intriguing after the season he had last year
No I'm not. Allen would be one of the better backups available. I’m describing someone that’d command league minimum, $1M tops. Someone that’d likely be able to clear waivers and a salary 100% able to be buried in the minors.
Thats probably the wiser way to go, a cheap vet back up while the Blues see what they have in Ellis.
Harry S Deals wrote: ↑13 Jun 2025 07:37 am
The more i read about Nemec, wow he has the potential to be the RHD anchor for the franchise after CP. Sometimes with Euro dmen it can take awhile to mesh it seems but thats a trade i would definitely make if its on the table. Look what happened to Broberg esp out of the gate last year he exploded with the Blues perhaps the Blues staff can unlock Nemec as well
There would be some uncertainty with Colton Ellis, Hofer had pretty good save pct in the AHL but Ellis's stats jump off the page a bit more .924 in 16 GP in '24, .922 in 42 games this year and a .933 save pct in the playoffs. This will be intriguing to see how this plays out
There’d certainly be risk involved with moving Hofer out as we just don’t know how well Ellis would do as a backup. This is an important season and we know Binner is at his best when he’s not overworked, so we need a competent backup. If they let Hofer go, I’d expect the Blues to sign a decent journeyman type. A guy that’s probably played a fair amount in the NHL but probably slots in more as a #3 in most orgs these days. That journeyman and Ellis can then battle it out in camp for the backup job. If one is consistently way better all season, then the job is theirs. However, I’d think the most likely scenario would be Ellis and the journeyman essentially sharing the role and both going back and forth between Springfield and STL.
you're describing Jake Allen to a T, and he's gonna cost 3-4m .. why not keep Hofer
that being said, Ellis is intriguing after the season he had last year
No I'm not. Allen would be one of the better backups available. I’m describing someone that’d command league minimum, $1M tops. Someone that’d likely be able to clear waivers and a salary 100% able to be buried in the minors.
Thats probably the wiser way to go, a cheap vet back up while the Blues see what they have in Ellis.
they tried that with that German dude (forget his name) and it bombed spectacularly
Harry S Deals wrote: ↑13 Jun 2025 07:37 am
The more i read about Nemec, wow he has the potential to be the RHD anchor for the franchise after CP. Sometimes with Euro dmen it can take awhile to mesh it seems but thats a trade i would definitely make if its on the table. Look what happened to Broberg esp out of the gate last year he exploded with the Blues perhaps the Blues staff can unlock Nemec as well
There would be some uncertainty with Colton Ellis, Hofer had pretty good save pct in the AHL but Ellis's stats jump off the page a bit more .924 in 16 GP in '24, .922 in 42 games this year and a .933 save pct in the playoffs. This will be intriguing to see how this plays out
There’d certainly be risk involved with moving Hofer out as we just don’t know how well Ellis would do as a backup. This is an important season and we know Binner is at his best when he’s not overworked, so we need a competent backup. If they let Hofer go, I’d expect the Blues to sign a decent journeyman type. A guy that’s probably played a fair amount in the NHL but probably slots in more as a #3 in most orgs these days. That journeyman and Ellis can then battle it out in camp for the backup job. If one is consistently way better all season, then the job is theirs. However, I’d think the most likely scenario would be Ellis and the journeyman essentially sharing the role and both going back and forth between Springfield and STL.
you're describing Jake Allen to a T, and he's gonna cost 3-4m .. why not keep Hofer
that being said, Ellis is intriguing after the season he had last year
No I'm not. Allen would be one of the better backups available. I’m describing someone that’d command league minimum, $1M tops. Someone that’d likely be able to clear waivers and a salary 100% able to be buried in the minors.
Thats probably the wiser way to go, a cheap vet back up while the Blues see what they have in Ellis.
they tried that with that German dude (forget his name) and it bombed spectacularly
We didn’t have an Ellis at the time either. We would this time around. Hofer was one year away from being able to challenge Greiss (or similar level player).
But yes, that would be the potential risk in trading Hofer. I’d really only consider it if Hofer pressed the issue with either his contract demands or threats to sign an offer sheet.
Just an observation - clicking on a few teams on puckpedia, it doesn't seem to be the norm to have a the backup goalie paid over 2million (exceptions exist, of course). A 4m salary for Hofer came would be way outside the going rate. If some other team is going to come and offer that, which would have to be an offer sheet, I'd be pretty curious what the return compensation would be.
Hofer's been good - but he's not exactly a bionic Terry Sawchuck out there.
the miracle wrote: ↑13 Jun 2025 09:59 am
Just an observation - clicking on a few teams on puckpedia, it doesn't seem to be the norm to have a the backup goalie paid over 2million (exceptions exist, of course). A 4m salary for Hofer came would be way outside the going rate. If some other team is going to come and offer that, which would have to be an offer sheet, I'd be pretty curious what the return compensation would be.
Hofer's been good - but he's not exactly a bionic Terry Sawchuck out there.
Any offer sheet under 4.68M for Hofer would return just a 2nd round pick. That's going to be the sweet spot for any team trying to get him. More than the Blues will want to pay him, but not an outlandish price for a young starter or tandem goalie.
the miracle wrote: ↑13 Jun 2025 09:59 am
Just an observation - clicking on a few teams on puckpedia, it doesn't seem to be the norm to have a the backup goalie paid over 2million (exceptions exist, of course). A 4m salary for Hofer came would be way outside the going rate. If some other team is going to come and offer that, which would have to be an offer sheet, I'd be pretty curious what the return compensation would be.
Hofer's been good - but he's not exactly a bionic Terry Sawchuck out there.
Any offer sheet under 4.68M for Hofer would return just a 2nd round pick. That's going to be the sweet spot for any team trying to get him. More than the Blues will want to pay him, but not an outlandish price for a young starter or tandem goalie.
Exactly. If a team signs him to that sort of contract, they’re expecting him to platoon (40ish starts) or be a starter (50ish starts). It’d be a great risk for a team to take that would only cost them a 2026 2nd rounder.
The Blues of course would prefer to keep him and see if he can replace Hofer in a couple years but probably for under $3M/year. But if another team is willing to give Hofer more (as well as an opportunity at more starts), I can’t blame the guy for taking it. It’d be pretty much what Broberg and Holloway did.
the miracle wrote: ↑13 Jun 2025 09:59 am
Just an observation - clicking on a few teams on puckpedia, it doesn't seem to be the norm to have a the backup goalie paid over 2million (exceptions exist, of course). A 4m salary for Hofer came would be way outside the going rate. If some other team is going to come and offer that, which would have to be an offer sheet, I'd be pretty curious what the return compensation would be.
Hofer's been good - but he's not exactly a bionic Terry Sawchuck out there.
Any offer sheet under 4.68M for Hofer would return just a 2nd round pick. That's going to be the sweet spot for any team trying to get him. More than the Blues will want to pay him, but not an outlandish price for a young starter or tandem goalie.
Yeah, that seems a little steep. I think I'd take the pick and see what you've got in Ellis/Zherenko. Spend the pick on a goalie (if he's the BPA) who's timeline may more line up with Binner retiring.
the miracle wrote: ↑13 Jun 2025 09:59 am
Just an observation - clicking on a few teams on puckpedia, it doesn't seem to be the norm to have a the backup goalie paid over 2million (exceptions exist, of course). A 4m salary for Hofer came would be way outside the going rate. If some other team is going to come and offer that, which would have to be an offer sheet, I'd be pretty curious what the return compensation would be.
Hofer's been good - but he's not exactly a bionic Terry Sawchuck out there.
Any offer sheet under 4.68M for Hofer would return just a 2nd round pick. That's going to be the sweet spot for any team trying to get him. More than the Blues will want to pay him, but not an outlandish price for a young starter or tandem goalie.
Exactly. If a team signs him to that sort of contract, they’re expecting him to platoon (40ish starts) or be a starter (50ish starts). It’d be a great risk for a team to take that would only cost them a 2026 2nd rounder.
The Blues of course would prefer to keep him and see if he can replace Hofer in a couple years but probably for under $3M/year. But if another team is willing to give Hofer more (as well as an opportunity at more starts), I can’t blame the guy for taking it. It’d be pretty much what Broberg and Holloway did.
I definitely wouldn't blame Hofer either. The "problem" with Hofer is that he arrived about 2 years too soon (or Binnington is about 2 years too young, take your pick).
Harry S Deals wrote: ↑12 Jun 2025 13:39 pm
Looking at the Blues cap space i am not sure it makes a ton of sense to pay Hofer around the $4 million ish he may get or may get offered. If Army choses to trade Hofer before free agency for instance what could Hofer and a prospect of some sort land? Would Army be content to take the 2nd round pick if another team offer sheets Hofer, i think some sort of trade makes more sense, thoughts?
If Hofer get's into a pricetag where it doesn't make sense which I think highest is 4.85? or something someone said then I'd start to entertain the trade or get the rights to the pick. That would be 1st rounder. BUUUUTTT, the Blues having a tandem under 10m then i sign him up. So it's essentially 4m anyways. It's invaluable to have him where at one point they were playing very similar amount of games. You keep that asset hopefully for 2 more years and then find a home for him or Binner depending on how the team trends over that 2 year.
Blues are Goaltender U. Young backups have the luxury of time (off) and managed exposure (less pressure) playing behind a very accomplished veteran. As Husso found out it's different when you're the #1. If (when) Hofer moves on it's next man up. Could see the Blues add an inexpensive veteran until the next man up gets established.
