The debate over which jersey goes up next at the Enterprise Center is over. It belongs to Jordan Binnington. No other current player has the case to hang in the rafters right now. The 2019 Stanley Cup run was the greatest moment in franchise history, and Binnington was the engine that made it happen. In the most pressure-filled game ever featuring the Blues, he secured the first title. That was Game 7 of the 2019 Stanley Cup Final. You cannot argue with a Cup win. You certainly cannot argue with a goalie who stops the puck when the whole world is watching.
The Cup Moment Defines The Legacy
History books do not care about regular season stats when a ring is on the line. They care about the moment the trophy is lifted. Binnington was the winningest goaltender in franchise history when he pulled off that feat. Per Bleedin Blue, he secured that first Stanley Cup in Game 7. That specific game was the highest pressure moment the team has ever faced. Other players contributed, sure. But the goalie stands alone in the net. When the puck crosses the line, it is on the netminder. When the win is secured, it is on the goalie. Binnington owns that 2019 night forever. A jersey retirement is supposed to honor the impossible. He did the impossible.
Why The Others Wait Their Turn
There are other names on the list, but they are not there yet. Through now in the 2010s, Vladimir Tarasenko holds the most points scored by a Blue. He was a key part of the Stanley Cup-winning team. But points do not equal a Cup win in the same way a save does in Game 7. That squad which won it all was captained by Alex Pietrangelo. On the blue line, his tenure as a whole remains impressive. Yet he left the team to chase a new contract. Colton Parayko is another current player like Binnington. Per Bleedin Blue suggests he might have to surpass the franchise’s all-time games played record merely to earn consideration. That is a high bar. Binnington has already cleared the highest bar of all. He won the prize.
The Rafters Need A Winner
The current list of retired numbers includes legends like Brett Hull and Chris Pronger. The legacy of this franchise is significantly shaped by each of them. They all earned their spot up in the rafters. The next spot should go to the player who delivered the ultimate reward. The 2019 season was a long road, but it ended with a ring. Binnington was the man in goal for that final victory. The fans remember the feeling of that night. They remember the silence of the crowd when he made the save. They remember the roar when the final buzzer sounded. That memory is worth a jersey. The team has been fortunate to have a plethora of highly talented players make an impact. But Binnington stands apart from the rest. He is the definitive lock to have his number retired by the Blues. The decision is clear. Hang the 50 jersey next.
