Binnington agrees to two-year, $8.8 million contract with Blues

Jordan Binnington agreed to terms on a two-year, $8.8 million contract with the St. Louis Blues on Saturday. It has an average annual value of $4.4 million.

The 26-year-old goalie, a restricted free agent, avoided a salary arbitration hearing scheduled for July 20.
"I'm happy to get this deal done with the St. Louis Blues," Binnington told the Blues website. "To the city of St. Louis, thank you for welcoming me in and trusting me to do me. I'm excited and motivated to keep doing my job and keep bringing success to the St. Louis Blues organization."
Binnington set the rookie record for Stanley Cup Playoff wins, going 16-10 with a 2.46 GAA, .914 save percentage and one shutout in 26 games to help the Blues win the Stanley Cup for the first time in their 51-season history.

A finalist for the Calder Trophy, given to the NHL rookie of the year, he was 24-5-1 with a 1.89 goals-against average, .927 save percentage and five shutouts in 32 regular-season games (30 starts).
Binnington played last season on a one-year, two-way contract he signed July 6, 2018, and moved up from fourth on the Blues depth chart.
"It wasn't always easy. There were down times. I put myself in tough spots," Binnington said following Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Boston Bruins. "The bigger the challenge, the greater the response. I just tried to adjust to the challenge every day and be the goalie I thought I could be and take advantage of my talent."

He made his first NHL start Jan. 7, and St. Louis went 29-9-5 after that date, climbing from last in the NHL standings to finish third in the Central Division and qualify for the playoffs.
"We are pleased to have Jordan signed for two more years," Blues general manager Doug Armstrong said. "His play was outstanding and we look forward to seeing him continue to be a major contributor for our team."
Selected by St. Louis in the third round (No. 87) of the 2011 NHL Draft, Binnington played one NHL game prior to this season (in 2015-16).