Blues Lock In Joel Hofer with Two-Year, $6.8M Extension

The St. Louis Blues have secured a key piece of their goaltending future, signing 24-year-old Joel Hofer to a two-year, $6.8 million contract extension ($3.4 million AAV) that runs through the 2026–27 season.

Drafted in the fourth round (107th overall) of the 2018 NHL Draft, Hofer has steadily climbed the organizational ladder. In 2024–25, he appeared in 31 games, posting a 16-8-3 record with a .904 save percentage and a career-best 2.64 goals-against average. Over the past two seasons, Hofer’s .909 SV% ranks 8th and his 2.65 GAA ranks 12th among NHL goaltenders with at least 60 games played.

This extension gives the Blues stability in net and a cost-effective number two or 1B option alongside Stanley Cup-winning netminder, Jordan Binnington. 

President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Doug Armstrong has made a habit of identifying value in young talent, and this deal is another example. At just $3.4 million annually, Hofer’s contract provides cap flexibility and secures a goaltender capable of handling 25–35 starts per year—or more, if needed.

The two-year term also lines up with Binnington’s current contract, which runs through 2026–27. This gives the Blues a natural evaluation window. If Hofer continues to develop, he could be positioned to take over the starting role by the time Binnington’s deal expires.

Hofer’s progression is timely for a franchise retooling on the fly. With the team missing the playoffs in back-to-back seasons, finding roster stability—especially in goal—is critical. A reliable backup who can step into a larger role is a valuable asset, both on the ice and under the salary cap.

Ultimately, the Hofer extension is a smart, low-risk investment in a young goaltender with upward momentum. If he continues on his current trajectory, this contract could age very well—and potentially lay the groundwork for the Blues’ next No. 1 in net.

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