The Sudden Turnaround
Most of the 2025-26 season looked bleak for St. Louis. The goaltending tandem was the worst in the league. Jordan Binnington never found his form again. But Joel Hofer told a different story. He nearly saved the Blues from missing the playoffs entirely. It just happened too late to fix the whole season.
Before the Winter Olympic break, the numbers were ugly. Hofer played 30 games with a 12-15-3 record. His goals-against average sat at 2.7. His save percentage was just .895. The team flirted with a top-five draft pick. That is a disaster for a fan base that wants to win.
Then the Milan break happened, and everything shifted. Following the Olympics, Hofer achieved a massive run across the 16 games that ensued. He posted a 12-2-2 record. His goals-against average dropped to 2.1. His save percentage jumped to a stunning .931. Per Bleedin Blue, this run put him in the elite tier.
Staying Healthy Is Key
The Blues missed the postseason by a handful of points. Regarding Hofer’s play down the stretch, no negative remarks can be made. He finished the season with 11.7 Goals Saved Above Expected. According to Bleedin Blue, that ranked 11th best in the league among goalies with more than 40 games.
Now the team faces a new reality. Unless Binnington can turn back the clock for what might be his final season, Hofer must be the backbone. He has to stay healthy. An injury to Hofer would utterly derail any hopes of getting back to the postseason next year.
The contract situation adds pressure. The final year of his two-year, $3 contract is what Hofer is entering.4-million annual average value bridge deal. He needs to be signed by next July 1. If not, the Blues risk getting hit with an offer sheet from another team. As the salary cap goes up, Hofer will want to get paid.
What Comes Next
A strong season will certainly boost his earnings. Alex Steen, the general manager, must engage in a delicate dance with Hofer’s camp. They must decide when to get a contract done and what the cap hit will be. The big question is how long Hofer will actually stay in St. Louis.
Should last season’s stellar finish serve as an indicator, Hofer can be expected to perform at league average or better. At 26 years old, he is in the early days of his prime. It would not be surprising if he is ranked as a top-ten starter by the end of the season.
The Blues cannot rely on luck anymore. They need their young goalie to carry the load. The window is open, but it might not stay open for long. Hofer proved he can do the job when it matters most. Now he has to do it again, all season long.
