Joel Hofer just finished a season that proved he can be the real deal. Yahoo Sports NHL reports that during the 2025-26 campaign, he played in 46 total contests and started a career-high 43 games. That workload was huge. He did not break under the pressure. Instead, he posted a .910 save percentage, which stands as the second-highest mark of his NHL career. He also posted a career-high 2.61 goals-against average. The numbers look great on paper. They tell a story of a goalie who stepped up when it mattered most.
The Shutout King of St. Louis
Here is the stat that really grabs attention. Hofer registered six shutouts this past season. That number ties for the second-most in the entire NHL and marks a new career high for him, per Yahoo Sports NHL. Six shutouts means he completely shut down opponents multiple times. It shows he can steal a game single-handedly. For a Blues fan, that is the kind of magic we crave. But one great season does not guarantee a long-term future. The team needs to see if this was a fluke or a new standard. He is only 26 years old and stands 6-foot-5. His size gives him a natural advantage, but his recent performance is what truly matters now.
Money Talks In The NHL
The clock is ticking on his current deal. Hofer enters the 2026-27 season in the second and final year of a two-year, $3.4 million contract, according to Yahoo Sports NHL. That means next season is his make-or-break year. He is a restricted free agent. If he wants a massive payday, he needs to show the front office that he is worth every penny. The pressure is on. He needs to replicate these numbers to get the long-term extension he deserves. A dip in performance could cost him millions. The Blues will look at the math before they write a check.
Advanced metrics back up the eye test. He stopped more pucks than the average goalie would have in those same situations. Now he has to do it again while everyone expects him to fail. The contract is small right now, but the next one could be huge. If he keeps saving goals at this rate, the Blues have no choice but to pay up. The next 82 games will decide his financial fate.
