With the NHL hitting pause for the 2026 Winter Olympics, the St. Louis Blues find themselves with five players suiting up for their respective countries in the best-on-best international showdown. And among those five, there’s one name that stands out-not just because of his resume, but because of the questions swirling around him: Jordan Binnington.
Let’s be honest-this hasn’t been the season Binnington or the Blues envisioned. The franchise’s all-time wins leader is in the midst of the toughest stretch of his NHL career.
The numbers don’t lie: an 8-17-6 record and a save percentage sitting at .864. That’s not just a dip-it’s a crater.
And it’s a big reason why the Blues are where they are in the standings heading into the Olympic break.
But here's the thing about hockey, and especially goaltending: momentum can flip fast. And for Binnington, the Olympics might just be the perfect storm-a high-stakes international stage where he has a shot to reset, recalibrate, and remind everyone (including himself) of what he’s capable of.
The Starting Job in Canada’s Crease
Team Canada brought three goaltenders to Italy: Binnington, Logan Thompson (Washington Capitals), and Darcy Kuemper (Los Angeles Kings). On paper, it’s not the most intimidating trio Canada has ever iced. In fact, this group has been widely considered one of the least heralded goaltending units Canada has taken into a major international tournament.
But Binnington might be the guy to get the nod in Canada’s opener against Czechia. He’s got the pedigree.
He’s got the experience. And most importantly, he’s shown he can perform when the lights are brightest.
Just last year, he was excellent in the Four Nations Face-off, holding down the crease for Canada and flashing the kind of form that once led the Blues to a Stanley Cup.
Doug Armstrong-who happens to be both the general manager of Team Canada and the Blues-knows exactly what Binnington brings to the table when he’s locked in. If Binnington gets the start, it’s because Armstrong believes he can deliver.
What This Means for the Blues
Back in St. Louis, the goaltending torch has already started to pass.
Joel Hofer has been seeing the bulk of the starts over the past couple of months, and rightfully so. With Binnington struggling, the Blues needed stability in net, and Hofer has stepped up.
But here’s where the Olympics could change the narrative. If Binnington finds his groove in Italy-if he turns in a few strong performances and looks like the guy who once carried a team on his back-it could force the Blues to reevaluate things heading into the stretch run.
Head coach Jim Montgomery has been leaning on Hofer, but a confident, resurgent Binnington could make things interesting. This isn’t just about who starts more games post-Olympics-it’s about whether Binnington can still be a piece of the puzzle in St. Louis, or if the March 6 trade deadline becomes the end of his chapter with the Blues.
A Pivotal Moment
This Olympic tournament isn’t just another international showcase for Jordan Binnington-it’s a crossroads. For a goaltender who’s taken the long road to NHL success, who’s been doubted before and answered with brilliance, this is another chance to prove he still belongs in the conversation.
If he can rise to the occasion, it won’t just help Team Canada. It could breathe life back into his season-and maybe even the Blues’ season, too.
The stakes are high. But then again, that’s when Binnington has always done his best work.