Could the Binnington Era End Soon?

[stlblue06]

It’s sad to see Binnington struggle so badly every single season as we all love him. He’s now 2-9-1 in his last 12 starts with a disturbing .850 SV% and a whopping 4.24 GAA. Oh and that includes a 30+ save shutout vs MTL.

Assuming he starts for Canada and plays well, it feels like Binnington will be traded after seeing how well Hofer is playing and another miracle+ run is needed to save the season. If he struggles or doesn’t play in the Olympics then we are stuck with him.

If the Blues go into next season with Binnington then he has to be their backup as he has simply sucked every single season since 2019-2020 (Covid broke him).

** I’ll give him those 2 month hot streaks the past 2 seasons.

Want to know a crazy stat:
The Hawks have scored only 13 non empty net goals (-2 SO win “goals”) in the 9 games played after they scored SEVEN (7) goals against Binnington. That’s a little over 1 goal a game after scoring 7 all with Binnington in net and all were stoppable, most were very soft. They were also in a free fall leading up to that game while the Blues were 3 points out of a WC spot. Just embarrassing stuff.

[zamadoo]

Binner has earned whatever he wants IMO.

A total enigma, it's hard to know what's really going on with him. The only thing we know is that he is able to flip a switch and lock in for weeks to months, and when he does, he's one of the best in the world, and there's almost no one you'd rather have in clutch games.

I put his all time stats/splits in a thread not too long ago. He historically is mediocre/bad to start, very poor dec-jan, and good to excellent february on.

Since we're talking about poor goaltending from tenders on 2 year contracts, how about that embarassing peformance from Hofer to start the season? He was the talk of the town in a bad way, and the Blues couldn't win at home for, what, 8 games? Hofer's 4 games in oct: .793/5.81

Now Hofer is taller and sturdier. He is still a heart attack waiting to happen playing the puck, whereas Binner basically invented a new system of d zone puck movement and distribution, and remains a solid puck player, especially when his head is on straight.

With cap space not an issue, if Binner is fine splitting starts while waiting to activate for the playoffs, I think we have a solid combo if Hofer keeps progressing and establishes more consistency. If Binner wants to be the main man with little competition and wants to leave, then so be it.

[dhsux]

Personally, I would defy his bad run and keep JB past the Olympics and deadline, and take my chances he comes back to himself.

I would bet the Blues regret selling him low as well.

[Bacchk29]

It should have ended when he got into it with Monty when he got pulled earlier in the year. We would have to retain salary to move him that’s why he’s still here.

[Harry S Deals]

Personally, I would defy his bad run and keep JB past the Olympics and deadline, and take my chances he comes back to himself.

I would bet the Blues regret selling him low as well.

You have to ask yourself what is "comes back to himself"? And tell me which team is going to really want Binnington?

Hes coming off years:

'22 .894
'23 .913
'24 .900
'25 .868

I get it, a team is trading for the possibility of a hot playoff run but which top contender needs a goalie, can pay him, and would give up much of anything?

[Inglewood Jack]

Personally, I would defy his bad run and keep JB past the Olympics and deadline, and take my chances he comes back to himself.

I would bet the Blues regret selling him low as well.

You have to ask yourself what is "comes back to himself"? And tell me which team is going to really want Binnington?

Hes coming off years:

'22 .894
'23 .913
'24 .900
'25 .868

I get it, a team is trading for the possibility of a hot playoff run but which top contender needs a goalie, can pay him, and would give up much of anything?

The return would be meh. He would have to be unreal in the Olympics to reaffirm his "big-time" status. I am a binner fan overall, and he has not been good. I almost think he needs to lose his mind as he seems to play better when there is more stress. Let him get in a fight or whatever. He seems too complacent, if that makes sense. He needs his blood flowing.

Also, if he should be traded, I do not have trust in Hofer to carry the starting load. He hasn't shown that yet, and management would need to have a solid option for breaking up the starts. Who fills that gap is the follow up Q?

[dhsux]

Personally, I would defy his bad run and keep JB past the Olympics and deadline, and take my chances he comes back to himself.

I would bet the Blues regret selling him low as well.

You have to ask yourself what is "comes back to himself"? And tell me which team is going to really want Binnington?

Hes coming off years:

'22 .894
'23 .913
'24 .900
'25 .868

I get it, a team is trading for the possibility of a hot playoff run but which top contender needs a goalie, can pay him, and would give up much of anything?

Well your question is kind of making my second point.

And i would not just dump him.

My first point is to hang in there and see where he goes. His poor play of late is nearly inexplicable....I don't trust it to be permanent.

[Tony Palazzolo]

Personally, I would defy his bad run and keep JB past the Olympics and deadline, and take my chances he comes back to himself.

I would bet the Blues regret selling him low as well.

You have to ask yourself what is "comes back to himself"? And tell me which team is going to really want Binnington?

Hes coming off years:

'22 .894
'23 .913
'24 .900
'25 .868

I get it, a team is trading for the possibility of a hot playoff run but which top contender needs a goalie, can pay him, and would give up much of anything?

The return would be meh. He would have to be unreal in the Olympics to reaffirm his "big-time" status. I am a binner fan overall, and he has not been good. I almost think he needs to lose his mind as he seems to play better when there is more stress. Let him get in a fight or whatever. He seems too complacent, if that makes sense. He needs his blood flowing.

Also, if he should be traded, I do not have trust in Hofer to carry the starting load. He hasn't shown that yet, and management would need to have a solid option for breaking up the starts. Who fills that gap is the follow up Q?

Goalies just don't get big returns. If we were getting a 1st rounder and young player then they have to do it. That's not what they would get. It would be cap relief and maybe a 2nd rounder.

[Blues Dave]

You'd pretty much have to love the rest of this team if goaltending by Hof or Binny is our problem. I think both are still good, but I don't believe a 11 - 10 Hof as a starter would turn things around with this team. I do like how the young kids on the team are developing though. I can live with whatever happens, but I'd stand pat if we're not going to do anything but move a goaltender.

[callitwhatyouwant]

Binner has earned whatever he wants IMO.

A total enigma, it's hard to know what's really going on with him. The only thing we know is that he is able to flip a switch and lock in for weeks to months, and when he does, he's one of the best in the world, and there's almost no one you'd rather have in clutch games.

I put his all time stats/splits in a thread not too long ago. He historically is mediocre/bad to start, very poor dec-jan, and good to excellent february on.

Since we're talking about poor goaltending from tenders on 2 year contracts, how about that embarassing peformance from Hofer to start the season? He was the talk of the town in a bad way, and the Blues couldn't win at home for, what, 8 games? Hofer's 4 games in oct: .793/5.81

Now Hofer is taller and sturdier. He is still a heart attack waiting to happen playing the puck, whereas Binner basically invented a new system of d zone puck movement and distribution, and remains a solid puck player, especially when his head is on straight.

With cap space not an issue, if Binner is fine splitting starts while waiting to activate for the playoffs, I think we have a solid combo if Hofer keeps progressing and establishes more consistency. If Binner wants to be the main man with little competition and wants to leave, then so be it.

All you said is fairly accurate. Binner kind of gets to do what he wants to do because of prior track record. But, the way it's trending, is he isn't going to be the starter here anymore. He can resign and make it a goalie by committee hopeful situation, but Hofer is going to get the bigger next contract as it stands. So Binner would have to take more like a 4.5-5m contract the next time around, and Hofer will probably be looking at 6m-7m depending on how next year goes.

Binner also doesn't have the luxury at the moment to go somewhere else and be the guy. No one will pay the guy starting salary money the next time around when hes ranked in like the 50s this season. He gets the benefit of the doubt for team Canada because he has proven it. But that's going to be a ton of expectations he is going to have to meet to hold it.

I am one that wants Binner to retire a Blue. Guy deserves a statue for what he did bringing a cup here. He very well may have done it a 2nd time if he slayed the beast that was the Avs as he was putting up an all time goalie display that series. But if he's going to want that opportunity, it looks like at best it's going to be split decision where hes more like the 45 in a 55-45 start scenario

[zamadoo]

Binner has earned whatever he wants IMO.

A total enigma, it's hard to know what's really going on with him. The only thing we know is that he is able to flip a switch and lock in for weeks to months, and when he does, he's one of the best in the world, and there's almost no one you'd rather have in clutch games.

I put his all time stats/splits in a thread not too long ago. He historically is mediocre/bad to start, very poor dec-jan, and good to excellent february on.

Since we're talking about poor goaltending from tenders on 2 year contracts, how about that embarassing peformance from Hofer to start the season? He was the talk of the town in a bad way, and the Blues couldn't win at home for, what, 8 games? Hofer's 4 games in oct: .793/5.81

Now Hofer is taller and sturdier. He is still a heart attack waiting to happen playing the puck, whereas Binner basically invented a new system of d zone puck movement and distribution, and remains a solid puck player, especially when his head is on straight.

With cap space not an issue, if Binner is fine splitting starts while waiting to activate for the playoffs, I think we have a solid combo if Hofer keeps progressing and establishes more consistency. If Binner wants to be the main man with little competition and wants to leave, then so be it.

All you said is fairly accurate. Binner kind of gets to do what he wants to do because of prior track record. But, the way it's trending, is he isn't going to be the starter here anymore. He can resign and make it a goalie by committee hopeful situation, but Hofer is going to get the bigger next contract as it stands. So Binner would have to take more like a 4.5-5m contract the next time around, and Hofer will probably be looking at 6m-7m depending on how next year goes.

Binner also doesn't have the luxury at the moment to go somewhere else and be the guy. No one will pay the guy starting salary money the next time around when hes ranked in like the 50s this season. He gets the benefit of the doubt for team Canada because he has proven it. But that's going to be a ton of expectations he is going to have to meet to hold it.

I am one that wants Binner to retire a Blue. Guy deserves a statue for what he did bringing a cup here. He very well may have done it a 2nd time if he slayed the beast that was the Avs as he was putting up an all time goalie display that series. But if he's going to want that opportunity, it looks like at best it's going to be split decision where hes more like the 45 in a 55-45 start scenario

Agree. You make some good points. Ideally the team picks up and he either goes out on a good note at the end of this deal, or he signs cheap to stay here in a backup role for the rest of his career.

[stlblue06]

I like the idea of Binnington being a backup. It doesn’t appear he can handle being a starter. The only season he performed well consistently as a starter was the season after the cup win at .912 sv% and that was only 50 games. I also remember him struggling that season too but was coming around at the end.

I don’t count the no fans/half season covid cup. Then he lost his net to Husso. If you take away those hot streaks the past 2 seasons then his numbers were really rough. He only hit .900 last season after 2 months of elite play.

Maybe the pressure of a #1 for an entire season isn’t his thing. It appears that the upcoming Olympics and maybe even 4 Nations has been a distraction for him and his focus.

[82birds]

Binner has earned whatever he wants IMO.

A total enigma, it's hard to know what's really going on with him. The only thing we know is that he is able to flip a switch and lock in for weeks to months, and when he does, he's one of the best in the world, and there's almost no one you'd rather have in clutch games.

I put his all time stats/splits in a thread not too long ago. He historically is mediocre/bad to start, very poor dec-jan, and good to excellent february on.

Since we're talking about poor goaltending from tenders on 2 year contracts, how about that embarassing peformance from Hofer to start the season? He was the talk of the town in a bad way, and the Blues couldn't win at home for, what, 8 games? Hofer's 4 games in oct: .793/5.81

Now Hofer is taller and sturdier. He is still a heart attack waiting to happen playing the puck, whereas Binner basically invented a new system of d zone puck movement and distribution, and remains a solid puck player, especially when his head is on straight.

With cap space not an issue, if Binner is fine splitting starts while waiting to activate for the playoffs, I think we have a solid combo if Hofer keeps progressing and establishes more consistency. If Binner wants to be the main man with little competition and wants to leave, then so be it.

an enigma for sure

[sneptsmoustache]

I feel like this Olympics is a completely binary outcome for Binner (assuming he starts most games): if he wins the gold, he cements his legacy as one of the best big-game goalies of all time. If he loses...even if he plays decently...everyone will say "I TOLD YOU HE SUCKS, LOOK AT HIS NUMBERS" and that reputation will disintegrate immediately.

[theograce]

I feel like this Olympics is a completely binary outcome for Binner (assuming he starts most games): if he wins the gold, he cements his legacy as one of the best big-game goalies of all time.

No he doesnt. Binnington has been terrible for Team Canada for years outside of one game.

The league knows who he is. He won a cup with the best defensive team in the world. Lots of average guys do that

[LGB73]

Goalies don't bring much in return and certainly not one who has been playing worse than most teams #2 goalies. You only trade him if it nets a 2nd rounder otherwise he's our backup until his contract is done. Team doesn't need the cap dollars at this time either. Team shouldn't be loading up on UFA vets in the summer but playing the young prospects next year.

And I would be surprised if he's the starting goalie for Team Canada to begin with. He's been pretty putrid this year so the alternatives have to be better.