St. Louis Blues Common Supervisor Doug Armstrong joined the July eighth version of NHL Tonight with Invoice Pidto, Mike Johnsonand Ken Daneyko. Armstrong was requested about goaltender Joel Hofer and whether or not he was involved about a suggestion sheet. Armstrong stated he was not, as a result of he would simply match any supply, and Hofer needed to be in St. Louis.
NHLRumors.com Transcriptions
Mike Johnson: “Now, you bought Joel Hofer re-signed properly. He was on my potential supply sheet listing. And never simply since you guys supply sheeted a few guys final yr very efficiently. However as a GM, you clearly are conscious that he could be a man that maybe contractually, and the place he falls, could be enticing to different groups. Your spidey senses get tingling and wish to get that contract accomplished earlier than he turns into out there for one thing like that?”
Doug Armstrong: “I’d say we wish to get it accomplished simply to get the enterprise taken care of. I wasn’t that involved concerning the supply sheet, fairly truthfully, simply because, it might take a primary and a 3rd for us to contemplate even not matching. You then take a look at the groups that want goaltending that approach, and doubtlessly shedding a first-round choose that may be anyplace within the prime 10. You by no means know, accidents occur.
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I wasn’t that involved about it, fairly truthfully, however extra essential, however we needed Joel right here. We needed to maintain him right here. We love the tandem that these two guys are. They work rather well collectively, and we’re simply trying ahead to retaining that transferring ahead.”
NHLRumors.com Notice: Blues GM Doug Armstrong has been adamant from the beginning that goaltender Joel Hofer needed to be in St. Louis. He additionally famous that for him to even take into account not matching the compensationit must be excellent. However he was all the time going to match the supply sheet.
One other factor Armstrong said is that groups aren’t keen to spend first-round picks this offseason on supply sheets, given how deep the 2026 NHL Draft is, led by Gavin McKenna.
Spoke with @Revingev yesterday concerning the upcoming NHL Draft and as talked about with him and confirmed at this time the Rangers are sending this years choose to the Pittsburgh Penguins to finish the Jt miller & it is sensible bc of Gavin McKenna being within the 2026 NHL Draft & who is aware of if…
– Jim Birger (@Bimburger) June 24, 2025
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However what number of groups will truly with the worry they might lose a primary spherical choose subsequent yr which is the Gavin McKenna draft.
If you are able to do Broberg or Holloway offers good. Then I’d be shocked if a crew dangers a primary spherical choose #justmytwocents https://t.co/caIj6jDKVo
– Jim Birger (@Bimburger) July 1, 2025
Groups weren’t keen to threat first-round picks on the prospect to draft McKenna. First-round picks are helpful, so it wasn’t going to occur. Moreover, the Blues know Hofer is the long run. If a crew had been to commerce for him, for instance, the asking value could be by the roof.
Now Armstrong has Joel Hofer signed to an inexpensive deal at two years, $6.8 million, carrying a $3.4 million AAV.
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