Jordan Binnington would be ready, willing, able, honored to represent Canada at 4 Nations Face-Off, Winter Olympics if given opportunity

MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. -- Jordan Binnington is never one to look too far ahead.

It's the one aspect of his lifestyle that pushed him to help the St. Louis Blues persevere in 2019 and win the first Stanley Cup in franchise history. He's always been a stay-in-the-moment kind of person.

The 30-year-old Richmond Hill, Ontario native continues to focus on doing what he can to make the Blues as competitive as possible. But it's hard not to think about the possibilities of representing his country with the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, and the 4 Nations Face-Off in 2025.

"I'm aware of it for sure," Binnington said. "It's the same old story, just focus on my game and what I can control. Hopefully that will lead me to bright lights and playing for my country."

The question will arise, as it does for a talent-rich country like Canada, which expects greatness at the international level: has Binnington at the very least placed himself in the conversation to be considered as one of Team Canada's goalies?

"I hope so," Binnington said. 'I'm just trying to be the best athlete and person that I can be every day. Wherever that takes me, I'll be ready."

Binnington has put himself there, and his play this season for a Blues team that has made a playoff push right until the end thanks to terrific goaltending, is a big reason why.

Entering Sunday's game against the Seattle Kraken, Binnington boasts a respectable 2.88 goals-against average and .911 save percentage after being over three goals-per-game (3.13 and 3.29) the past two seasons and is eighth in goals saved above expected (12.1) among goalies to play 35 or more games; he has the credentials of being a Stanley Cup champion, a feat he accomplished as a rookie, and nearly took down the Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche in 2022 before he was injured, so the big stage wouldn't bother him in the least. And if there's a vote among his current Blues teammates and coaches that believe he's a big-game goalie, it's a no-brainer of a decision.

"I think he's proved that he's one of the best goalies in the NHL this season up to this point," Blues interim coach Drew Bannister said. "... I can't see why they'd look past him. He's the guy I'd want in my net. He's won a Stanley Cup and he's been outstanding for us this year.

"I just think you want to play in those important games, and I think if 'Binner' had the chance, he'd jump at it because I think it's important to play in those types of games. I think it's invaluable for a team like Team Canada to have Stanley Cup goalie in their net. Why wouldn't you want to have that? Those are pressure-packed moments that he thrives in."

Blues captain Brayden Schenn, Binnington's Stanley Cup teammate, can attest why.

"He's just a big-game player, that's all. That's why," Schenn said. "Oh yeah, absolutely. No questions asked. He's been unbelievable this year and years past. He's definitely in the conversation. It's a matter of what they want to do.

"... He's played great. I'm not the GM, but if it was my pick, absolutely. He's the stud that shows up in big games."

Let's take a look at what some of Binnington's competition would/could be, some names to keep a close eye on:

Tristan Jarry, Pittsburgh Penguins

Darcy Kuemper, Washington Capitals

Sam Montembeault, Montreal Canadiens

Connor Ingram, Arizona Coyotes

Stuart Skinner, Edmonton Oilers

Cam Talbot, Los Angeles Kings

Adin Hill and Logan Thompson, Vegas Golden Knights

And last but not least, someone with a great pedigree of winning and experience but large in the tooth in age when the competition would arrive, the ageless Marc-Andre Fleury, Minnesota Wild.

Binnington is ready to compete against whoever it may be, even if his image outside St. Louis ad Blues fandom has been tarnished by what some call "antics," while his teammates see it as passion and willingness to win.

"That's it. Be the best player, be the best person I can be and see how it all plays out," Binnington said. "I'm willing to go to war."

Binnington, who said he is open to participating in the upcoming World Championships in Prague-Ostrava, Czechia May 10-26 but hasn't been asked yet, certainly would benefit from attending one for the first time in his career, and having Canada's general manager, Doug Armstrong, right under his nose, it's enhanced his chances for consideration of choice.

"He knows about me I guess, right," Binnington said of Armstrong. "At the same time, you've got to prove yourself to a lot of people. If we have success here, it leads to success eventually there, right?

"We'll let it play out I think. Maybe an off-season conversation. I'm aware, he's aware. It's time for us to put the work in."

Unfortunately, the Blues will miss the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the second straight season, but to none of the fault of goaltending, which in fact had propelled the Blues to be in the hunt for a Western Conference wild card berth through Game No. 80.

"He's been unbelievable all year," Blues forward Jordan Kyrou said of Binnington. "He's definitely won us a lot of games and kept us in a lot of games, so definitely for sure.

"He's kind of done it all. He's won a Stanley Cup, he's been in those high-pressure situations, he's competed against the best and he's won against the best. He definitely knows how to win in those situations. He's one of the best goalies in the league. I think he's unbelievable. I think he'd be awesome there."

Canada has had a plethora of top-tiered goalies throughout its history, from Martin Brodeur to Patrick Roy to Carey Price to Curtis Joseph and Roberto Luongo backstopping the Canadians to a 3-2 overtime win over USA in 2010 at the Vancouver games, a goal scored by Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby.

Binnington would love nothing better than to be that guy.

"It's big in Canada. You can remember where exactly you were watching the gold medal game and games," Binnington said. "I remember watching Roberto Luongo kind of shut the door in the gold medal game against the U.S. It was fun, watched it with my junior team in a restaurant, made sure we stopped the bus and watched it. You can just feel the passion, energy, what it does for the country, the excitement. Just proud to be from Canada, especially playing hockey."

Not only wanting to be that next guy but the honor of representing his country would be the utmost respect.

"It would be a great honor," Binnington said. "I think it's great that it's back and there's the international competition. There's a lot of great talent out there for every country. That's something you've kind of visualized your whole life doing in your dreams. You've just got to put the work in right now."