The St. Louis Blues may be headed toward one of the most consequential trade-deadline decisions in franchise history, and it centers on Jordan Binnington.
After last season’s deadline purge helped the Blues shed bad contracts and clear the way for new additions through the draft and free agency, the organization could have a similar chance in March of the 2026-27 season. This time, though, the move would land far harder with fans: Binnington could be on the move to a playoff contender if the Blues are out of the race and the offer is right.
That possibility comes with a couple of clear conditions. St. Louis would need to be firmly out of contention, and the return for No. 50 would have to justify dealing a goaltender who has meant so much to the franchise.
Binnington is heading into his 10th season with the organization and has already stacked up more accomplishments in Blue Note than any other goaltender in club history across a number of categories. But the setup is changing. Joel Hofer is expected to take over as the starter in 2026-27, leaving Binnington in a role that is new for both him and the team.
That alone makes the coming season unusual. For years, every Blues campaign carried some level of buzz because Binnington was in net. That’s not the case anymore after the mess that was the 2025-26 season.
There’s also the challenge of proving himself to Steen and the rest of the Blues brass in a reduced role. Binnington has long been at his best when he’s had more rest, but next season may bring more downtime than he’s ever dealt with, and the adjustment could be difficult.
Still, that same situation could make him a massive deadline prize for someone else.
Binnington has the chance to become the biggest trade-deadline storyline in Blues history, even bigger than the deal for "The Great One", Wayne Gretzky, in February of 1996. Former GM Doug Armstrong showed with the Jordan Kyrou, Brayden Schenn, and Justin Faulk moves that he was willing to wait for the right package, and Steen is expected to carry that same approach.
If a team in the playoff hunt needs a goalie with a Stanley Cup on his résumé, Binnington would be exactly that kind of answer. And the kind of return he could bring back would be franchise-changing.
A goalie like that can swing an organization fast, especially in a game-7, all-or-nothing situation. At the moment, though, that team doesn’t look like the Blues, with too many other problems and unknowns standing in the way.
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