Are the Blues just a .500 team? Are they being too easy on Jordan Binnington? Mailbag, part 2

In an October mailbag, writer Chris Branch assessed the St. Louis Blues following a 3-4-1 start to their season, arguing that the team risks remaining around .500 without improved production from returning core players like Robert Thomas and Dylan Holloway. Branch also evaluated the goaltending situation, noting that the Blues are not going easy on Jordan Binnington, who has struggled with a 4.68 GAA and .831 save percentage as Joel Hofer has started five of eight games.

Addressing other roster questions, Branch dismissed the likelihood of trading Binnington due to limited market value and organizational depth. The mailbag also detailed the team's salary cap gymnastics involving defenseman Torey Krug's placement on LTIR, recent forward call-ups Aleksanteri Kaskimaki and Otto Stenberg, and the potential for a future one-day retirement contract for David Perron.