St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington landed at No. 8 on Chris Johnston’s updated NHL trade board published by The Athletic on Tuesday, October 27, making him the only goalie among 20 potential trade candidates. The timing matters: Connor Hellebuyck is now with New Jersey, while the New York Rangers are still navigating Igor Shesterkin’s season-ending injury.
But the latest Jordan Binnington trade rumors need an important qualification. Johnston’s ranking is not confirmation that St. Louis is negotiating with New York, or that an offer is imminent. It identifies a veteran whose circumstances could attract interest.
A few hours after the trade-board discussion, Binnington stopped 18 of 20 shots as St. Louis lost 2-0 to Montreal. His performance was steadier than his difficult season numbers suggest, and the Blues’ lack of scoring mattered more that night.
For New York, the real question is not simply whether Binnington is available. It’s whether trading for him would solve the Rangers’ most urgent problem.
Latest Jordan Binnington Trade Rumors: What Has Been Reported
Johnston’s October 27 assessment follows the trade that sent Hellebuyck from Winnipeg to New Jersey. With that major goaltender option off the market, Binnington stands out because he has won a Stanley Cup, handled high-pressure starts and is nearing unrestricted free agency.
His deal expires after 2026-27, and he can block trades to 10 teams. It is unknown whether New York is on that list.
There has been some reported exploration of the goalie market around the Rangers. TSN’s Darren Dreger said on the October 14 Ray & Dregs podcast that New York had kicked tires on Toronto’s Anthony Stolarz. That is evidence of the Rangers checking options, not proof of a Binnington negotiation.
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Our earlier report on the Rangers’ interest in Stolarz explored another potential solution.
There is also a reason to temper expectations. On October 27, David Pagnotta’s analysis suggested that the Rangers might have a more pressing issue with their offensive depth than their goaltending. And earlier, Blues reporter Jeremy Rutherford had cautioned that a Binnington trade might be difficult while his performance was struggling.
Why Joel Hofer Has Changed the Blues’ Goaltending Picture
The biggest development in St. Louis is not another team’s supposed interest. It is Joel Hofer’s emergence.
Through the Blues’ first 12 games, Hofer had eight starts, a .917 save percentage and a 2.40 goals-against average. Binnington had started four games, posting a .845 save percentage and a 4.11 GAA. Those are significant gaps, even with a small October sample.
Binnington’s .873 save percentage in 41 games last season also complicates his 2019 Stanley Cup résumé.
Tuesday’s loss needs context: Montreal’s Jacob Fowler made 46 saves in a 2-0 shutout, while Binnington allowed two goals on 20 shots. The Blues needed finishing more than a scapegoat in goal.
NHLTradeRumor.com’s assessment: Hofer’s strong start creates a legitimate succession question, but it does not automatically make Binnington expendable. St. Louis is still trying to compete. Losing an experienced backup without an adequate replacement could create a new problem.
Would Binnington Actually Fix the Rangers?
Shesterkin is out for the season after an October 9 injury. Joonas Korpisalo is also sidelined, leaving rookie Dylan Garand with greater responsibility. James Reimer’s difficult debut in Monday’s 6-3 loss to Los Angeles fueled speculation.
Binnington offers something Garand cannot yet provide: years of NHL starts and meaningful postseason experience. His expiring contract also fits better with Shesterkin’s expected return than taking on another goaltender signed for several seasons.
But experience isn’t the same as an immediate upgrade. Based on Binnington’s recent save percentages, the Rangers would be buying a rebound opportunity, not guaranteed stability.
There is another concern. Reporting on October 27 highlighted New York’s problems when it falls behind. The Rangers were 7-1-0 when scoring first and 0-5-1 when allowing the opening goal. Pagnotta’s argument was that insufficient scoring depth, rather than an urgent need for another goalie, should be management’s bigger worry.
That changes the trade calculation. If Chris Drury spends meaningful assets on Binnington and the Rangers still cannot recover from early deficits, he may have used his best trade flexibility on the wrong position.
Jordan Binnington’s Salary Cap Hit and Potential Trade Value
Binnington carries a $6 million annual cap hit in the final year of a six-year, $36 million contract. His 10-team no-trade list gives him a degree of control over any potential destination.
St. Louis could hypothetically retain salary to attract buyers, but there is no verified report of an offer.
The scenarios below illustrate how salary retention would change the acquiring team’s annualized cap-hit responsibility. They are not actual negotiations, projected deadline charges or a statement of the Rangers’ available cap space.
NHLTradeRumor.com | Trade Market Data
Jordan Binnington Trade Watch
Blues Goaltending Comparison
4 starts | 4.11 GAA
8 starts | 2.40 GAA
Hypothetical Cap-Hit Scenarios
NHLTR Analysis: Retaining salary would reduce the acquiring club’s annualized cap hit. These figures are illustrations, not reported offers, remaining-season cap charges, or verified New York Rangers cap space.
A buyer must also weigh Binnington’s rebound potential, workload and acquisition cost.
What a Blues–Rangers Trade Could Look Like
A hypothetical deal has three moving parts: cap space, asset cost and timing.
Retention would ease New York’s cap burden but cost St. Louis flexibility. Neither structure has been reported as an offer.
A draft pick or prospect might form part of a return, but assigning a specific round or naming a Rangers prospect now would be speculation without a reliable negotiating baseline. Binnington’s performance, St. Louis’s place in the standings and the number of clubs genuinely shopping for goaltending would shape that discussion.
The Rangers also need to consider the alternatives. Korpisalo’s expected return in November and additional starts for Garand could reduce the urgency. Waiting carries risk if their season slips away, yet paying a premium in October is not automatically smarter.
From St. Louis’s perspective, the decision is equally delicate. Hofer may be the better current starter, but Binnington can still provide insurance during a long season. The Blues shouldn’t trade him simply because his name appears on a board.
What Happens Next for Binnington and the Rangers?
Three developments will determine whether this story becomes more than a trade-market discussion.
First, watch Binnington’s next starts. Another competent performance would support the argument that his early season numbers overstate his struggles. More difficult outings would make it harder for St. Louis to obtain meaningful value.
Second, watch how often Hofer starts. A clear, sustained shift in workload would tell us more about the Blues’ plans than a single October trade-board placement.
Third, watch New York’s choices when Korpisalo returns. If Garand stabilizes the position, the Rangers may focus on scoring. If the crease remains unsettled and reputable insiders report concrete contact with St. Louis, the Binnington connection becomes materially stronger.
Final Take: A Logical Fit Isn’t Yet a Likely Trade
Binnington belongs in the NHL trade conversation because his contract is expiring, Hofer is playing well and Johnston’s new rankings put the veteran in front of goaltender-needy clubs.
But the Rangers should resist confusing an urgent situation with an urgent transaction. Their scoring issues, Binnington’s recent performance and the price of a rental all matter.
My read: New York should keep monitoring Binnington without treating him as the automatic answer. The next meaningful story will be verified team-to-team contact or a clear change in the Blues’ deployment, not another list of possible destinations.
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