Offer Sheet and Joel Hofer

[DawgDad]

I do not dispute that Hofer might be viewed as a player as more valuable than a #2. There comes a point where money and cap is more valuable than the player, that is true for every player. The Blues management will make that judgement.

We don't know what Hofer will become. If he moves on it's next man up. Could that be the difference in making or missing the playoffs? Yes, there is that risk, over and above losing a potential #1 goaltender. Guys get paid big money to evaluate players and make these decisions. Interesting situation, for sure.

[bluetunehead]

The Blues are going to have a salary number for Hofer, if he attracts a higher salary he's gone [most likely]. A second for him is not out of line if he is offer sheeted above the Blues number.

It’s not out of line but he’s still worth more to them than that. It’d also highly depends on the team that signs him. Are we talking a 2nd that’s likely to get up around pick 35 or one that could be in the 60s?

It’d be a blow to lose Joel for just a 2nd. It also wouldn’t be ideal to have to pay him $4.7ish million/year either. Hopefully Army can get him re-signed fairly soon.

Yeah who is doing the signing makes a big difference. If it’s Edmonton and they‘re ready to go deep again (provided McDavid stays) then it’s not a great pick. If it’s a bottom dweller who just wants to find their future #1 it becomes more interesting to the Blues.

The Blues can also make a side deal for additional assets like Bowman did. The Blues really gave up a 2nd, two 3rds, and Paul Fischer in the Broberg/Holloway move. It wasn’t just the two draft picks.

Yep. They could absolutely try to get additional assets to not match the offer. But I mean, even if a team threw in an additional 3rd or Paul Fischer caliber of prospect, it’d still be a bad deal for the Blues. Unless a team would go high enough on Hofer to where the compensation would be a 1st and 3rd (which I doubt any team would do), then pretty much any offer sheet for Joel would be bad news for the Blues.

Maybe, but only if he accepts and signs it.

Well yeah. We only ever hear about the signed ones. I was referring to any offer sheet he signs would be bad.

Yeah agreed that it’s a bad scenario no matter what if he gets an offer sheet. It will almost certainly be more than we want to pay him. That’s sort of the world of goalies though. Their value is just weird.

[bluetunehead]

I think if I’m Armstrong I’d probably be inclined to match and and then start working the phones on a Leddy trade. Play out the season with an expensive tandem and then revisit a trade when you have more control over the situation next year.

[STL fan in MN]

The Blues are going to have a salary number for Hofer, if he attracts a higher salary he's gone [most likely]. A second for him is not out of line if he is offer sheeted above the Blues number.

It’s not out of line but he’s still worth more to them than that. It’d also highly depends on the team that signs him. Are we talking a 2nd that’s likely to get up around pick 35 or one that could be in the 60s?

It’d be a blow to lose Joel for just a 2nd. It also wouldn’t be ideal to have to pay him $4.7ish million/year either. Hopefully Army can get him re-signed fairly soon.

Yeah who is doing the signing makes a big difference. If it’s Edmonton and they‘re ready to go deep again (provided McDavid stays) then it’s not a great pick. If it’s a bottom dweller who just wants to find their future #1 it becomes more interesting to the Blues.

The Blues can also make a side deal for additional assets like Bowman did. The Blues really gave up a 2nd, two 3rds, and Paul Fischer in the Broberg/Holloway move. It wasn’t just the two draft picks.

Yep. They could absolutely try to get additional assets to not match the offer. But I mean, even if a team threw in an additional 3rd or Paul Fischer caliber of prospect, it’d still be a bad deal for the Blues. Unless a team would go high enough on Hofer to where the compensation would be a 1st and 3rd (which I doubt any team would do), then pretty much any offer sheet for Joel would be bad news for the Blues.

I would have to think their true analysis of Ellis, Cranley and Zherenko would come into play right about here.

Can’t say how the Blues feel about these guys but here’s what I think:

Ellis - showed real NHL potential this season. Very consistent. Just doesn’t allow any weak goals. But it’d be a big risk to rely on him to be a competent NHL backup out of the game, particularly for a team aiming to make the playoffs.

Zherenko - has talent and size but is pretty inconsistent. He’ll be lights out one night and then swimming all over the crease and letting in softies the next. Also, there’s a real chance we lose him as he becomes a RFA in a little over a week. Moscow Dynamo holds his KHL rights and their coach has already said they’re going to try to get him to come back. I think there’s a pretty good chance they’re successful at that. From Zherenko’s perspective, it could very well be preferable to play in the KHL than in the AHL again if he doesn’t feel he has much of a future here.

Cranley - average ECHL caliber goalie. I just don’t see it with him. Maybe he has some sort of big jump like Ellis did but for now, I see an AHL backup at best.

It’s been 5 years since we drafted a goalie so we have absolutely nothing behind them. If they lose Hofer to an offer sheet and then Zherenko to the KHL then their goalie depth gets real thin real fast.

[Aesa]

The Blues are going to have a salary number for Hofer, if he attracts a higher salary he's gone [most likely]. A second for him is not out of line if he is offer sheeted above the Blues number.

It’s not out of line but he’s still worth more to them than that. It’d also highly depends on the team that signs him. Are we talking a 2nd that’s likely to get up around pick 35 or one that could be in the 60s?

It’d be a blow to lose Joel for just a 2nd. It also wouldn’t be ideal to have to pay him $4.7ish million/year either. Hopefully Army can get him re-signed fairly soon.

Yeah who is doing the signing makes a big difference. If it’s Edmonton and they‘re ready to go deep again (provided McDavid stays) then it’s not a great pick. If it’s a bottom dweller who just wants to find their future #1 it becomes more interesting to the Blues.

The Blues can also make a side deal for additional assets like Bowman did. The Blues really gave up a 2nd, two 3rds, and Paul Fischer in the Broberg/Holloway move. It wasn’t just the two draft picks.

Yep. They could absolutely try to get additional assets to not match the offer. But I mean, even if a team threw in an additional 3rd or Paul Fischer caliber of prospect, it’d still be a bad deal for the Blues. Unless a team would go high enough on Hofer to where the compensation would be a 1st and 3rd (which I doubt any team would do), then pretty much any offer sheet for Joel would be bad news for the Blues.

Maybe, but only if he accepts and signs it.

Well yeah. We only ever hear about the signed ones. I was referring to any offer sheet he signs would be bad.

Doesn't matter whether we don't hear about them,
it only matters if we do.

[Wattage]

The Blues are going to have a salary number for Hofer, if he attracts a higher salary he's gone [most likely]. A second for him is not out of line if he is offer sheeted above the Blues number.

It’s not out of line but he’s still worth more to them than that. It’d also highly depends on the team that signs him. Are we talking a 2nd that’s likely to get up around pick 35 or one that could be in the 60s?

It’d be a blow to lose Joel for just a 2nd. It also wouldn’t be ideal to have to pay him $4.7ish million/year either. Hopefully Army can get him re-signed fairly soon.

Yeah who is doing the signing makes a big difference. If it’s Edmonton and they‘re ready to go deep again (provided McDavid stays) then it’s not a great pick. If it’s a bottom dweller who just wants to find their future #1 it becomes more interesting to the Blues.

The Blues can also make a side deal for additional assets like Bowman did. The Blues really gave up a 2nd, two 3rds, and Paul Fischer in the Broberg/Holloway move. It wasn’t just the two draft picks.

Yep. They could absolutely try to get additional assets to not match the offer. But I mean, even if a team threw in an additional 3rd or Paul Fischer caliber of prospect, it’d still be a bad deal for the Blues. Unless a team would go high enough on Hofer to where the compensation would be a 1st and 3rd (which I doubt any team would do), then pretty much any offer sheet for Joel would be bad news for the Blues.

I would have to think their true analysis of Ellis, Cranley and Zherenko would come into play right about here.

Can’t say how the Blues feel about these guys but here’s what I think:

Ellis - showed real NHL potential this season. Very consistent. Just doesn’t allow any weak goals. But it’d be a big risk to rely on him to be a competent NHL backup out of the game, particularly for a team aiming to make the playoffs.

Zherenko - has talent and size but is pretty inconsistent. He’ll be lights out one night and then swimming all over the crease and letting in softies the next. Also, there’s a real chance we lose him as he becomes a RFA in a little over a week. Moscow Dynamo holds his KHL rights and their coach has already said they’re going to try to get him to come back. I think there’s a pretty good chance they’re successful at that. From Zherenko’s perspective, it could very well be preferable to play in the KHL than in the AHL again if he doesn’t feel he has much of a future here.

Cranley - average ECHL caliber goalie. I just don’t see it with him. Maybe he has some sort of big jump like Ellis did but for now, I see an AHL backup at best.

It’s been 5 years since we drafted a goalie so we have absolutely nothing behind them. If they lose Hofer to an offer sheet and then Zherenko to the KHL then their goalie depth gets real thin real fast.

You can always sign a vet for cheap like rottich, matt murray, campbell, or domingue if desperate to be 3rd string and compete for backup with ellis in preseason.

[bud white]

In the history of offer sheets there have been 3 goalies involved.

Ron Tugnutt

Arturs Irbe

Roberto Luongo

The only one in the prime of his career was Luongo. He was matched. Tugnutt and Irbe were arguably on the back 9 of their careers and even though they were not matched, due to the value of the contract, no compensation was required. (< 400,000 / year)

Goalies - especially young guys who haven't been established - are a c**p shoot. An offer sheet is a longshot. But throwing it out there generates clicks. Nothing more.

[TheJackBurton]

The Blues are going to have a salary number for Hofer, if he attracts a higher salary he's gone [most likely]. A second for him is not out of line if he is offer sheeted above the Blues number.

It’s not out of line but he’s still worth more to them than that. It’d also highly depends on the team that signs him. Are we talking a 2nd that’s likely to get up around pick 35 or one that could be in the 60s?

It’d be a blow to lose Joel for just a 2nd. It also wouldn’t be ideal to have to pay him $4.7ish million/year either. Hopefully Army can get him re-signed fairly soon.

Yeah who is doing the signing makes a big difference. If it’s Edmonton and they‘re ready to go deep again (provided McDavid stays) then it’s not a great pick. If it’s a bottom dweller who just wants to find their future #1 it becomes more interesting to the Blues.

The Blues can also make a side deal for additional assets like Bowman did. The Blues really gave up a 2nd, two 3rds, and Paul Fischer in the Broberg/Holloway move. It wasn’t just the two draft picks.

Yep. They could absolutely try to get additional assets to not match the offer. But I mean, even if a team threw in an additional 3rd or Paul Fischer caliber of prospect, it’d still be a bad deal for the Blues. Unless a team would go high enough on Hofer to where the compensation would be a 1st and 3rd (which I doubt any team would do), then pretty much any offer sheet for Joel would be bad news for the Blues.

Maybe, but only if he accepts and signs it.

Quite frankly, unless it's a team he really has no desire to play for, he's likely going to sign anything 4 million and above as I can just about guarantee we aren't offering that.

[SteveR85]

Could see a team going 5 years at 4.6M and it only costing them a 2nd in 2026 to do so. I'd probably still match if I'm the Blues.

I think the most likely outcome is Hofer elects arbitration which takes the offersheet off the table and Blues either work out an extension before the hearing or Hofer is awarded a contract in the 3-4M range at which point the Blues can decide the length at 1 or 2 years.

If I'm representing Hofer, I'm pushing for a 3 year extension that walks him to UFA July 1, 2028 at a modest salary of 2.5M-3M per year.

[TBone]

Oilers Should Offer Sheet Blues’ Goaltender Joel Hofer

June 21, 2025
by Matt Parks

One thing is evident: the Edmonton Oilers need an upgrade in net. General manager Stan Bowman and head coach Kris Knoblauch spoke to the media on Friday, June 20, discussing their priorities heading into the summer. During their press conference, Bowman stated: “The defence will have the least number of changes. I like how they played. The forwards and goalies are where we will have some changes.” It’s great to see that he recognizes what needs to be done in goal; now it’s up to him to do it. The free agent goalie class is thin, so a trade is one option. However, the Oilers could opt to go a different route.

- clip -

Oilers Can Enact Revenge on the Blues

While this may sound petty, the Oilers have an opportunity to enact revenge on St. Louis from last offseason. The Blues put Edmonton in a tricky spot when they gave Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg offer sheets. The Oilers were strapped against the cap, so they chose not to match either of them. They received a second and a third-round pick as compensation. Now, they have a chance to return the favour while filling a need in the process. You shouldn’t do business just to get back at the people who wronged you, but in this case, it makes sense.

It’s a win-win situation for Edmonton. They either fill the need and get the player, or force St. Louis against the salary cap and not lose any assets. This situation is worth a shot, and if it doesn’t work, they can always explore the trade market.

https://thehockeywriters.com/oilers-sho ... e_vignette

[IsDurbanodoingtime]

If it is looking to armey that he cannot get Hofer signed and a 4.76 offer sheet is coming, and ravensbergen is still there, grab him. Having said that Armey needs to bite the bullet and pay Hofer. We have gone the cheapo backup route .and it doesn't help binner plus ot is still going to cost at least half what you are paying Hofer.

[bud white]

Oilers Should Offer Sheet Blues’ Goaltender Joel Hofer

June 21, 2025
by Matt Parks

One thing is evident: the Edmonton Oilers need an upgrade in net. General manager Stan Bowman and head coach Kris Knoblauch spoke to the media on Friday, June 20, discussing their priorities heading into the summer. During their press conference, Bowman stated: “The defence will have the least number of changes. I like how they played. The forwards and goalies are where we will have some changes.” It’s great to see that he recognizes what needs to be done in goal; now it’s up to him to do it. The free agent goalie class is thin, so a trade is one option. However, the Oilers could opt to go a different route.

- clip -

Oilers Can Enact Revenge on the Blues

While this may sound petty, the Oilers have an opportunity to enact revenge on St. Louis from last offseason. The Blues put Edmonton in a tricky spot when they gave Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg offer sheets. The Oilers were strapped against the cap, so they chose not to match either of them. They received a second and a third-round pick as compensation. Now, they have a chance to return the favour while filling a need in the process. You shouldn’t do business just to get back at the people who wronged you, but in this case, it makes sense.

It’s a win-win situation for Edmonton. They either fill the need and get the player, or force St. Louis against the salary cap and not lose any assets. This situation is worth a shot, and if it doesn’t work, they can always explore the trade market.

https://thehockeywriters.com/oilers-sho ... e_vignette

So, this writer believes that Edmonton needs to hand over the net to a guy with 63 NHL starts.

Edmonton's window is now. If they are making a roster move in the net, it won't be for a guy with 63 NHL starts. Make no mistake, but they also need to look at the market he'll be playing in. That's a hockey mad city and there's a long list of goalies that they've gone through.

On top of that, if this Final revealed anything, it's the lack of depth that the Oilers need to address.

[moose-and-squirrel]

Oilers Should Offer Sheet Blues’ Goaltender Joel Hofer

June 21, 2025
by Matt Parks

One thing is evident: the Edmonton Oilers need an upgrade in net. General manager Stan Bowman and head coach Kris Knoblauch spoke to the media on Friday, June 20, discussing their priorities heading into the summer. During their press conference, Bowman stated: “The defence will have the least number of changes. I like how they played. The forwards and goalies are where we will have some changes.” It’s great to see that he recognizes what needs to be done in goal; now it’s up to him to do it. The free agent goalie class is thin, so a trade is one option. However, the Oilers could opt to go a different route.

- clip -

Oilers Can Enact Revenge on the Blues

While this may sound petty, the Oilers have an opportunity to enact revenge on St. Louis from last offseason. The Blues put Edmonton in a tricky spot when they gave Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg offer sheets. The Oilers were strapped against the cap, so they chose not to match either of them. They received a second and a third-round pick as compensation. Now, they have a chance to return the favour while filling a need in the process. You shouldn’t do business just to get back at the people who wronged you, but in this case, it makes sense.

It’s a win-win situation for Edmonton. They either fill the need and get the player, or force St. Louis against the salary cap and not lose any assets. This situation is worth a shot, and if it doesn’t work, they can always explore the trade market.

https://thehockeywriters.com/oilers-sho ... e_vignette

So, this writer believes that Edmonton needs to hand over the net to a guy with 63 NHL starts.

Edmonton's window is now. If they are making a roster move in the net, it won't be for a guy with 63 NHL starts. Make no mistake, but they also need to look at the market he'll be playing in. That's a hockey mad city and there's a long list of goalies that they've gone through.

On top of that, if this Final revealed anything, it's the lack of depth that the Oilers need to address.

doubt EDM has the cap to do this.. this would be a luxury for them that they can't afford

[Harry S Deals]

The Oilers don't have a 1st or 2nd rnd pick this year can they do this or is it next year's picks

[moose-and-squirrel]

The Oilers don't have a 1st or 2nd rnd pick this year can they do this or is it next year's picks

it's next years pick(s), iirc

[dhsux]

The Oilers don't have a 1st or 2nd rnd pick this year can they do this or is it next year's picks

it's next years pick(s), iirc

They need the picks now to do this.

Pretty sure.