Hofer and Ellis

[mwakeland]

I didn't see last night's game, but there were some less than complimentary remarks about Hofer, and he hasn't had the greatest camp. If Ellis has a stellar game in whatever is left of the preseason, can Ellis edge past Hofer?

[bgwinn01]

As much talent and potential as Ellis has, there is zero chance he replaces Hofer at this point.

[theograce]

You’d have to trade Hofer then

[WilliamWestcliffe]

You’d have to trade Hofer then

That’s likely an inevitability. Binnington has another 3+ years of quality starter in him at a very reasonable cost.

Hofer isn’t going to play backup for another two years and he’s not the highest rated goalie prospect in the system, some of which are getting pretty close (eg Ellis). They should move Hofer sooner than later and get something of value.

[zamadoo]

You’d have to trade Hofer then

That’s likely an inevitability. Binnington has another 3+ years of quality starter in him at a very reasonable cost.

Hofer isn’t going to play backup for another two years and he’s not the highest rated goalie prospect in the system, some of which are getting pretty close (eg Ellis). They should move Hofer sooner than later and get something of value.

Binner is signed for this year and next year. Hofer is also signed for this season and next season, but is RFA. I don't think anyone is really knocking on the door other than Ellis, who had a good year after a bad one. Zherenko had a bad year, and I thought someone mentioned that he might just go back to Russia rather than be backup (maybe just speculation). Cranley really isn't very good, though he's looked better this summer than any previous showing. Maybe you're right as far as how the Blues rate them and their potential. Seems that they like Hofer though.

[theograce]

You’d have to trade Hofer then

That’s likely an inevitability. Binnington has another 3+ years of quality starter in him at a very reasonable cost.

Hofer isn’t going to play backup for another two years and he’s not the highest rated goalie prospect in the system, some of which are getting pretty close (eg Ellis). They should move Hofer sooner than later and get something of value.

The hope is that Hofer develops and can take over. He has a lot of things going like size and being one of the best puck managers in the game.

[STL fan in MN]

You’d have to trade Hofer then

That’s likely an inevitability. Binnington has another 3+ years of quality starter in him at a very reasonable cost.

Hofer isn’t going to play backup for another two years and he’s not the highest rated goalie prospect in the system, some of which are getting pretty close (eg Ellis). They should move Hofer sooner than later and get something of value.

Absolutely not. All 3 of Binner, Hofer and Ellis have 2 years left on their current deals. Hofer and Ellis will still be RFAs after those 2 years as well. Thus we have up to 2 years to figure it out.

Hofer will play backup the next 2 years if he doesn’t surpass Binnington…which he very likely won’t. In that time, Ellis will almost certainly be given some NHL games to see how he can handle the highest league in the world. Maybe at some point one of them becomes disgruntled but we absolutely don’t have to make any decisions anytime soon.

[Tony Palazzolo]

They aren't going to move Hofer. They trust him and he is going to get his fare share of games. They know Binnington can wear down with too many games.

[callitwhatyouwant]

The goalie situation has almost nothing to do with Ellis or Hofer at this point. Hofer is fine being the backup and Binner is fine letting Hofer get 1B starts in the regular season. It's a solid dynamic. Most of the league regards them as one of the better Duos. The real problem I see is that Hofer plays a way different style in net than Binner does. But they both are aggressive behind the net.

Anyways, I have been talking about this for a while. What will happen is if this team is good, they will most likely look to extend Binner and then Ellis will be the next backup and Hofer will be moved in a couple years. IF this team scuttles, then Binner will probably be consulted if he wants to move to a winner and then you will see a goalie competition between Hofer and Ellis in the bigs.

The goalie situation is almost entirely in the hands of the skaters. Unless of course they shakey jakey it and someone HAS to be called up.