The St. Louis Blues have announced that they have signed a contract extension with their organization’s number-three goalie, Joel Hofer.
The deal is a two-year, one-way contract that carries a $775k average annual value. Hofer’s current contract holds a $795k cap hit, but since he’s been largely an AHL player the actual financial value Hofer receives is quite a bit less. Consequently, this extension’s $775k AAV actually represents a significant pay raise for Hofer in actual dollars received, thanks to it being a one-way deal.
This extension paves the way for Hofer, who will be 23 next season, to assume the role of backup goalie in St. Louis. Incumbent backup Thomas Greiss is on an expiring contract, and since he’s 36 years old the Blues are likely looking to get younger (and cheaper) at that position.
Hofer’s AHL play certainly indicates that he’s ready for the NHL. Alongside current Washington Capitals backup netminder Charlie Lindgren, Hofer led the Blues’ AHL affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds, to the Calder Cup final last season.
This year, Hofer has played in 22 AHL games. He’s gone 10-8-1, with a 2.39 goals-against average and a strong .922 save percentage. While Greiss’ presence behind Binnington means Hofer may not receive any NHL action this year barring injury-related absences, this extension cements his place in the Blues’ long-term plans for their crease.
Get Hofer up here. Griess has flashes, followed by brain farts. If Hofer is good enough, hope Bennington actually smacks a guy with a stick and release him with cause.
I’m still chagrined that one of the Springfield playoff games I missed was the one where Hofer scored a goal. (Heck, I’m still mad that when I was a Springfield season ticket holder, I blew off an Indians game thirty years back where backup goalie Paul Cohen scored a goal. A goalie scoring is something I’ve never seen in person.)
Blues are kind of sunk with O’Reilly, krug and tarasenko out. I say trade O’Reilly and tarasenko. Maybe see if the kings want binnington for Peterson. Peterson has same length left as binnington at a slightly lower Aav. Then trade greiss and barbashev. Bring up hofer, keep neighbors up, play all the young guys and see what you got. Trade whatever isn’t boarded down lol. Hopefully scandella can come back, show something and be traded too. Blues need to get into the draft lottery