Latest news with #JoelHofer
New York Times
15 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Blues re-sign Joel Hofer: What the depth chart looks like heading into free agency
ST. LOUIS — For months, St. Louis Blues fans have been worried about goaltender Joel Hofer receiving an offer sheet. It wasn't unwarranted. The Edmonton Oilers need a goalie, and what could make them happier than retaliating against the Blues, who signed Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway away from them via offer sheets last August? Advertisement But if those same Blues fans were listening to general manager Doug Armstrong last week, they were likely less concerned. Armstrong was asked about Hofer's contract situation in his pre-NHL draft news conference and made it clear that the Blues were ready to match any offer sheet if they chose to do so. 'I guess this is my shot across the bow,' Armstrong said Monday. 'You can go after him. You're not going to get him.' Hofer, 24, would've become a restricted free agent and eligible for an offer sheet if unsigned by Tuesday. On Saturday, though, he signed a two-year, $6.8 million contract extension ($3.4 million average annual value). Joel Hofer isn't going anywhere. #stlblues DETAILS ➡️ — St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) June 28, 2025 The Blues' goalie tandem for the 2025-26 season is now set with starter Jordan Binnington and Hofer at a combined $9.4 million AAV. Binnington has two seasons left on his six-year, $36 million contract ($6 million AAV). Hofer had a $775,000 AAV on his expiring two-year contract, so his new $3.4 million AAV will be a sizable raise. Interestingly, with Hofer getting a two-year deal, the contracts of both netminders will be set to expire the same summer, 2027. Hofer was 16-8-3 in 2024-25 with a 2.64 goals-against average and a .903 save percentage this past season. In the past two seasons combined, he has a 2.65 GAA and .909 save percentage, which rank eighth and 12th, respectively, amongst all NHL goalies (minimum 60 games played). The $3.4 million AAV is substantial for a backup, but Hofer has been heavily relied upon the past two seasons. In 2023-24, Binnington started 55 games and Hofer 27. In 2024-25, Binnington started 54 games and Hofer 28. The load distribution could be similar in 2025-26 with the NHL participating in the Olympics and a dense schedule expected, particularly post-Olympics. Pending restricted free agents: Nikita Alexandrov, Mikhail Abramov, Tanner Dickinson Pending unrestricted free agents: Radek Faksa, Mackenzie MacEachern, Corey Andonovski Roster hopefuls: Dalibor Dvorsky ($886,666), Zach Dean ($852,500), Dylan Peterson ($867,500) Pending restricted free agents: Hunter Skinner, Anton Malmstrom Pending unrestricted free agents: Ryan Suter Roster hopefuls: Matthew Kessel ($800,000), Corey Schueneman ($775,000), Adam Jiricek ($942,500) Pending restricted free agents: Vadim Zherenko Roster hopefuls: Colten Ellis ($775,000) Cap charges: $90,834,708 Projected bonus overages: $2,153,475 Projected salary cap: $92,988,183 Projected LTIR: $6,500,000 (Torey Krug's salary) Projected salary-cap space (when using LTIR): $9,011,817 Source: PuckPedia
Time of India
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
St. Louis Blues GM Doug Armstrong bets on Joel Hofer's NHL rise with $6.8 million extension
Photo byThe St. Louis Blues made a clear statement this weekend about their future in goal—Joel Hofer is a key part of it. On Saturday, the team announced they signed the 24-year-old netminder to a two-year, $6.8 million contract extension, avoiding any drama around restricted free agency. The deal, averaging $3.4 million annually, reflects the Blues' commitment to the young goalie who's steadily earned his place in the NHL since debuting in 2021. General Manager Doug Armstrong wasn't shy about his stance earlier in the week, firmly shutting down any talk of rivals poaching Hofer with offer sheets. St. Louis Blues lock in goalie Joel Hofer with $6.8 million NHL extension, reinforcing commitment to future in net Joel Hofer's new deal comes on the heels of his most active NHL season to date. In 31 games last season, including 28 starts, he posted a solid 16-8-3 record, with a career-best 2.64 goals-against average and a .904 save percentage. Overall, the Winnipeg native has suited up in 69 regular-season games for St. Louis, compiling a 35-22-5 record. His consistency over the past two seasons stands out: his .909 save percentage ranks eighth among NHL goaltenders with at least 60 games played in that span, while his 2.65 GAA is good for 12th. Doug Armstrong addressed concerns about Hofer's RFA status on Monday during pre-draft media availability, saying bluntly: 'You're not going to get him.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo He made it clear the Blues had no interest in negotiating through arbitration or worrying about offer sheets. 'We're not concerned about offer sheets or anything like that,' Armstrong added, underscoring the team's confidence in locking Hofer up directly. Drafted 107th overall by St. Louis in 2018, Joel Hofer's development has been marked by steady growth. He started his junior career in the WHL with the Swift Current Broncos before moving to the Portland Winterhawks, where he closed out his junior tenure as a Western Conference Second All-Star in 2019–20. He signed his first NHL deal with St. Louis in March 2019 and made his NHL debut in November 2021 against San Jose, winning at just 21 years old—making him the youngest Blues goalie ever to notch a win in his debut. St. Louis Blues strengthen NHL goaltending plans with Joel Hofer secured on multi-million deal Joel Hofer's experience isn't just NHL-based. He's enjoyed strong AHL seasons with the Springfield Thunderbirds, even scoring a rare goalie goal in 2022, and he's shone on the international stage. He backstopped Canada to gold at the 2020 World Junior Championship, earning tournament Best Goaltender honors, and was part of Team Canada's gold-medal-winning squad at the 2023 IIHF World Championship. With this extension, the Blues are betting on Hofer's blend of poise, experience, and upside—ensuring that for at least two more seasons, their crease will have both security and promise. Also Read: Joe Thornton, Zdeno Chara, and 6 others legends immortalized in the 2025 Hockey Hall of Fame Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
New York Times
18 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Blues, Joel Hofer agree to 2-year, $6.8 million contract extension
ST. LOUIS — The St. Louis Blues have signed pending restricted free agent goaltender Joel Hofer to a two-year, $6.8 million contract extension ($3.4 million average annual value), the team announced Saturday. Hofer, 24, would have become an RFA if unsigned on July 1 and eligible to sign an offer sheet with another club. Advertisement Blues general manager Doug Armstrong indicated earlier this week that he wasn't worried about Hofer's contract situation. The team's fourth-round pick in 2018 had a $775,000 AAV on his expiring two-year contract, so he's receiving a sizable raise. Hofer was 16-8-3 in 2024-25 with a 2.64 goals-against average and a .903 save percentage. The Blues' goalie tandem is now set for the 2025-26 season, with starter Jordan Binnington having two more seasons left on his contract ($6 million AAV).
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
(2-22-25) Jets-Blues Gameday Lineup
ST. LOUIS – It's time to get back in the grind for the St. Louis Blues (25-26-5), who begin a rugged stretch of six games in nine days beginning with a 6 p.m. game on Saturday against the Winnipeg Jets (39-14-3), the hottest team in the NHL and winners of eight straight. The Blues last played two weeks ago on Feb. 8 in that wild 6-5 shootout win against the Chicago Blackhawks that went 10 rounds, but trailing the Vancouver Canucks by eight points for the second wild card and only 26 games remaining, it's go time. 'We've talked about it a lot, there's only 26 games and you've got to take it game by game,' Blues forward Jake Neighbours said. 'Can't look too far the future. Right now it's Winnipeg and obviously a really tough test and one of the best teams in the league. We're coming back right into it, back-to-back against two really good teams and we've got to be ready to go, so we're excited.' The Blues have put in three full practice days and held an optional morning skate on Saturday with a back-to-back set against the Jets on Saturday and Colorado Avalanche on Sunday. 'Mental preparation to start on time and then you've got to expect the team to get better every shift and more importantly, every period,' Blues coach Jim Montgomery said. 'You've got to get to your game as quick as possible. That's the most important thing. 'I want to see us be more aggressive on the forecheck, more aggressive being tight-checking in all three zones to create more turnovers and I also want us to handle adversity better than we did previously.' - - - Joel Hofer will get the start in goal, with Jordan Binnington to get the nod Sunday against the Avalanche after Binnington helped fuel Canada's run to a championship at the 4 Nations Face-Off. Defenseman Colton Parayko, also part of Canada's team, will play. Alexandre Texier, who missed practice all week due to illness, is expected to draw into the lineup for Zack Bolduc, and Tyler Tucker, who missed three games with an upper-body injury, will play in place of Nick Leddy. - - - Blues Projected Lineup: Jake Neighbours-Robert Thomas-Pavel Buchnevich Dylan Holloway-Brayden Schenn-Jordan Kyrou Alexandre Texier-Oskar Sundqvist-Mathieu Joseph Alexey Toropchenko-Radek Faksa-Nathan Walker Cam Fowler-Colton Parayko Philip Broberg-Justin Faulk Ryan Suter-Tyler Tucker Joel Hofer will start in goal; Jordan Binnington will be the backup. Healthy scratches include Nick Leddy and Zack Bolduc. The Blues report no injuries. - - - Jets Projected Lineup: Kyle Connor-Mark Scheifele-Gabriel Vilardi Nikolaj Ehlers-Vladislav Namestnikov-Cole Perfetti Nino Niederreiter-Adam Lowry-Mason Appleton Alex Iafallo-David Gustafsson-Rasmus Kupari Dylan Samberg-Neal Pionk Logan Stanley-Dylan DeMelo Ville Heinola-Colin Miller Eric Comrie will start in goal; Kappo Kahkonen will be the backup. Healthy scratches include Connor Hellebuyck and Haydn Fleury. Josh Morrissey (illness) and Morgan Barron (upper body) are out.
