Last February, after backstopping Team Canada to a 4 Nations Face-Off tournament gold, it seemed like goalie Jordan Binnington was a lock to be Team Canada’s starting goalie at the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics.
Coming off a solid regular season, which saw the 32-year-old goalie post a 28-22-5 record with three shutouts along with a 2.69 GAA and .900 save percentage, Binnington showed that despite some inconsistencies in his career along with a temper, he still had that elite ability to not only play well in regular season but to elevate his game come playoff time.
Unlike previous years when Team Canada was backed by Hall of Fame netminders such as Martin Brodeur, Roberto Luongo, Patrick Roy, and Marc-Andre Fleury, the position with all due respect to Binnington and others, have taken a step back.
Still, during his career Binnington has had some great moments, including when he was called up as a rookie during the 2018-19 season where he raised some eyebrows by going 24-5-1 with five shutouts along with a 1.89 GAA and ,927 save percentage in 32 games.
In proving it was no fluke Binnington that spring went 16-10 with one shutout along with a 2.46 GAA and .914 save percentage in leading the St. Louis Blues to the franchise first Stanley Cup. Binnington was also a Calder Trophy finalist but didn’t win.
As his career progressed, Binnington’s career took a hit as he battled some streaks of inconsistency and displayed a temper on the ice which got him into some trouble.
One such incident with his temper occurred in October 2021 when at Enterprise Center against the visiting Colorado Avalanche, Binnington got pretty worked up after a Colorado goal was waved off due to the net being off its pegs. Binnington proceeded at one point to fire the puck at opposing goalie Darcy Kuemper before swinging his stick up high towards Avalanche forward Nazem Kadri’s head.
Another ugly incident which didn’t help Kadri’s reputation as a hot head came the year before in early March 2021 at SAP Center against the San Jose Sharks where instead of just skating back to the bench, Binnington displayed that frustration by shoving various Sharks players on his way to the bench. He even went so far as to shove Sharks goalie Devan Dubnyk.
While Binnington is a solid goalie with a Stanley Cup and 4 Nations Face-Off tournament gold on his resume, the truth is he can be inconsistent and that temper can have a costly effect for Team Canada at the upcoming Olympics. Binnington is also in the mist of a below par season.
Blues goalie Joran Binnington no longer a sure thing for Team Canada at 2026 Winter Olympics
Binnington has heated verbal exchange with his Blues coach Jim MontgomeryÂ
Binnington’s chances of being Team Canada’s starting goalie for the upcoming February 2026 Winter Olympics might have taken a serious hit after what transpired during a December 1st 4-1 Blues home loss against the Anaheim Ducks.
After surrendering two goals on the Ducks first five shots, Blues coach Jim Montgomery, for the second time this season, pulled his starting goalie for backup Joel Hofer, which resulted in a frustrated Binnington yelling at his coach.
“You prepare for a game,” Binnington said. “You’re going to think you’re playing 60 minutes, you plan on playing 60 minutes. As an athlete and competitor, that’s what you want to do. I felt good.”
Binnington, who was pulled at the 10:24 mark of regulation, went on to add, “It’s unfortunate. They got two goals, (but ) that’s hockey. The game always find a way to keep you humble. It’s all part of it. It’s just about whether we won or lost yesterday. I’m coming in, I’m doing the same thing today.”
This spat between goalie and coach was downplayed by the two parties but still it makes you wonder if that competitive bad temper may have a negative affect on his Olympic play for Team Canada.
Rumors suggest Binnington will be traded to the Edmonton OilersÂ
Rumors have picked up that Binnington is on the verge of being traded from St. Louis to the Edmonton Oilers in a deal involving current Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner. However, according to NHL Insider’s Andy Strickland, the Oilers are one of 18 teams that Binnington according to his contract can’t be traded to.
Binnington, who is from Richmond Hill, Ontario has only one-year remaining on his current contract.
Main Image: Â Winslow Townson-Imagn Images
