Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington may want out of St. Louis for surprising reason
Jordan Binnington never shies away from controversy on the ice, and he's now the subject of off-ice controversy as he may want to be traded due to his team losing.
The St. Louis Blues and goaltender Jordan Binnington took just one point from a 4-3 overtime loss to the Buffalo Sabres last night, but a larger story is unfolding regarding the team's future.
Jimmy Murphy of 'The Responsible Gambler' reports that if the Blues continue their inconsistent play into Thanksgiving weekend, there's a belief that general manager Doug Armstrong may begin to consider trade options. It appears that Binnington is at the center of many of those potential trade rumors.
League sources say the feisty netminder is growing more and more frustrated, a trait not unfamiliar to fans of the 2019 Stanley Cup champion.
Some believe if the Blues continue in a state of flux, Binnington might even request a trade himself.
One scout reflected on the Blues' recent 3-2 loss to the Boston Bruins and said, «I wonder if Binnington asks out eventually?»
The 30-year-old goaltender was the crucial cog in the Blues' historic championship run and is signed for two more years on his six-year, $36 million deal carrying a $6 million annual cap hit.
In a league chomping at the bit for teams to get better in goal, the possible availability of Binnington will fetch plenty of interest.
«That wouldn't surprise me if he asked out. He's a gamer, and yeah, I think he's tasted a Cup before, so he will want more,» the source replied. «There are teams that have a chance and could use him.»
There have been rumblings that the Carolina Hurricanes might be one of those suitors should he become available.
For now, the Blues sit just three points out of a playoff spot 17 games into the 2024-25 season, keeping them in striking distance of contention without needing drastic roster changes. However, the ability of the team to stabilize will likely dictate their direction.
With Binnington, the story may be different because of his trademark volatility. Frustration seems to get the better of him most often, and patience was never his virtue, a dynamic that could make this worth watching closely.
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