The St. Louis Blues are staring down a tough reality.
After reaching the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, they’ve taken a sharp step back this season, sitting sixth in the Central Division and watching their postseason hopes slip away game by game. And with the trade deadline fast approaching, it’s no surprise that veteran goaltender Jordan Binnington is starting to surface in trade conversations.
Binnington’s story is one of the more dramatic arcs in recent NHL memory. Back in 2019, he went from relative unknown to Stanley Cup hero almost overnight, backstopping the Blues from dead last in January to champions in June.
That kind of rise doesn’t just make headlines - it cements legacies. But since then, it’s been a mixed bag.
He’s had a few solid seasons - three times since that Cup run he’s posted a save percentage north of .910. But the lows have been just as notable, and this season has been especially rough. Right now, Binnington is carrying an .871 save percentage, a number that’s hard to overlook for a team trying to stay afloat.
Still, St. Louis isn’t necessarily trying to move the goalie he is today.
They’re trying to sell the idea of what Binnington could be again - especially in the right environment. And in a league where goaltending depth is always at a premium, there are bound to be teams willing to take a swing.
Two potential landing spots stand out.
Carolina Hurricanes: A Contender with a Crease Problem
The Hurricanes are right in the thick of things, tied for first in the Eastern Conference alongside the Lightning and Red Wings. They’ve never been shy about making bold moves, and this season might demand another one - especially in net.
Brandon Bussi has been a bright spot in his rookie campaign, but his .905 save percentage is solid, not spectacular. Behind him, things get dicey.
Frederik Andersen has really struggled, posting a .863 save percentage over 19 games. And Pyotr Kochetkov, who was trending in the right direction, is now out for the season.
Carolina has the cap space to make a deal work, and if the Blues retain some of Binnington’s salary, the risk becomes even more manageable. For a team built to make a deep run, adding a veteran with championship pedigree could be exactly what they need to stabilize the crease. If Binnington can find even a fraction of his 2019 form, the Hurricanes could be getting a difference-maker at the most important position on the ice.
Montreal Canadiens: A Young Team That Needs Experience in Net
Montreal isn’t quite in the same tier as Carolina, but they’re in the playoff mix and looking to take that next step. Like the Hurricanes, their biggest question mark lies between the pipes.
The Canadiens came into the year expecting Sam Montembeault to carry the load, but things haven’t gone according to plan. He’s spent time in the AHL and is currently sitting at an .874 save percentage. Jakub Dobes and Jacob Fowler have shown flashes, but they’re hovering around league average - and they don’t bring much playoff experience to the table.
That’s where Binnington could be a fit. He’s been through the wars.
He’s won a Cup. And while his numbers this season don’t jump off the page, his ability to rise to the moment is something Montreal could use down the stretch.
For a team with a young core and limited postseason reps, adding a proven playoff performer could provide a crucial boost - both in the room and on the ice.
Of course, there’s the financial side to consider. Montreal doesn’t have much wiggle room under the cap, so any deal would require some creativity. But if the Canadiens and Blues can work something out, this could be the kind of low-risk, high-upside move that pays off when the games start to really matter.
Jordan Binnington may not be the same goalie who led the Blues to glory in 2019, but the potential is still there. For teams like Carolina and Montreal - clubs with playoff aspirations and questions in goal - he represents a compelling option. The Blues, meanwhile, have a chance to turn the page and retool, potentially giving a fresh start to a player who once brought them to the mountaintop.