Hofer looks real good

[theograce]

Real bright spot.

Big…moving real well.

Has the potential to be one of the best in the NHL

[gpe13579]

He is finally playing big.

Early in the year it was waaaay too much deep in the net but for awhile now he has been playing aggressive, assertive and confident.

Good to see for sure.

[fish]

When he’s in the zone like this, his post to post movement is so efficient. Totally the opposite of what we’ve been seeing from Binnington

[Russdv14]

If people were honest, Hofer would be the goalie for the Canadian Olympic team, not Binnington (this season)

[MiamiLaw]

If people were honest, Hofer would be the goalie for the Canadian Olympic team, not Binnington (this season)

He still has to prove himself in pressure situations. That’s a big test. It’s broken a lot of promising goalies.

But he looks really realty good right now

[theograce]

He’s my Bishop right now.

Torch is being grabbed

[Frank Underwood]

If people were honest, Hofer would be the goalie for the Canadian Olympic team, not Binnington (this season)

He still has to prove himself in pressure situations. That’s a big test. It’s broken a lot of promising goalies.

But he looks really realty good right now

The good news on that front is that Hofer was the goalie for Canada in 2020 when they won the Gold at the World Juniors. He wasn’t necessarily supposed to be the starter, but took the job and ended up being named as the best goalie in the tournament and named to the All Star team. This was back when Russia was still allowed to play and he beat them in the Gold Medal game.

That’s obviously just a single data point, but I remember watching him during that tournament and thinking how calm and cool he was, and how well he moved for a tall, skinny kid. We really weren’t worried about our next #1 goalie in January of 2020, but he looked great.

Hofer ended up 5-0, with a 1.60 GAA and a .939 save percentage. Contrast that with Jake Allen, who imploded as Canada’s goalie in the 2010 Gold Medal game. That’s not a shot at Jake….nothing but love for that guy.

[TruBlueFan_1970]

The good news with the contract structures, is that if he continues to play well, his contract and Binner's expire at the same time, but Hofer would be still be a RFA. We could lock him up as our starting goalie with a 5 or 6 year contract as he'll be 26 years old. Then bring up whoever is ready as the backup or sign a journeyman if necessary. Either way, the stage is set for him to get paid for sure in 2027 season with Binner being gone.

[DawgDad]

The good news with the contract structures, is that if he continues to play well, his contract and Binner's expire at the same time, but Hofer would be still be a RFA. We could lock him up as our starting goalie with a 5 or 6 year contract as he'll be 26 years old. Then bring up whoever is ready as the backup or sign a journeyman if necessary. Either way, the stage is set for him to get paid for sure in 2027 season with Binner being gone.

What happens to Binnington remains to be seen in this scenario. There are other potential outcomes than "long gone". No doubt the Blues would like to see Hofer establish himself as a solid reliable #1. Options, more good ones is better.

[bud white]

He is on a roll ... and he is also getting some very favorable bounces and breaks.

A play last night found a seam where he had raised his stick and the puck made it into his five hole. As he was moving his trailing pad caught it and kept the puck out. Tuesday night he cheated on a dump in and the Carolina shooter missed the net by about a foot. It was 0-0 then and it would have changed the game. You play the hot hand, and every goalie tells you that when they are "on" they are getting some lucky breaks. He's getting them now, and overall the Blues goalies are due for a few.

[TruBlueFan_1970]

The good news with the contract structures, is that if he continues to play well, his contract and Binner's expire at the same time, but Hofer would be still be a RFA. We could lock him up as our starting goalie with a 5 or 6 year contract as he'll be 26 years old. Then bring up whoever is ready as the backup or sign a journeyman if necessary. Either way, the stage is set for him to get paid for sure in 2027 season with Binner being gone.

What happens to Binnington remains to be seen in this scenario. There are other potential outcomes than "long gone". No doubt the Blues would like to see Hofer establish himself as a solid reliable #1. Options, more good ones is better.

Totally agree. I just don't see the Blues resigning Binner after this contract. If they do, it would be for #2 goalie money. Hofer still has to show he can be the guy, but this season is going well for him after his atrocious start. I still wish Buffalo would try to waive Ellis and the Blues could get him back to restock the cupboard.