The Blues are reportedly trading Jordan Binnington

According to a report from NHL Network analyst Brian Lawton, the St. Louis Blues are trading goaltender Jordan Binnington.

Lawton reports that the Blues are "ready to move on" and that Binnington's 16 team no-trade list is in play. He reports that it's a "foregone conclusion at this stage" that the Blues will trade Binnington.

So now the question is... where will he end up?

Insider David Pagnotta reported last week that the Stanley Cup contending Carolina Hurricanes could have some interest in Binnington on the trade market.

From Pagnotta on the DFO Rundown:

"On Jordan Binnington, there are some teams that make me wonder; I wonder about Carolina; yes they have Kotchetkov signed, they just signed Bussi; I don't get the sense that Freddy Andersen is their guy."

The 32 year old Binnington is in year five of a six year deal that pays him $6 million annually and the Hurricanes have more than enough cap space this season and next season to take on Binnington's full contract. My question is... why would they want to though?

Clearly they have something in the Pyotr Kochetkov and Brandon Bussi tandem and Freddie Andersen's contract expires this upcoming offseason. Why risk muddying things up with Binnington for this year and next year? Especially when Binnington has proven to be a downgrade on all three of the Hurricanes' goaltenders this season?

To me, this rumor comes off like Pagnotta is just trying to stir the pot a bit. To me, I could see Binnington moving to another playoff hopeful looking to add some depth and stability. I'm thinking the Vegas Golden Knights, Utah Mammoth, Anaheim Ducks, San Jose Sharks or, of course, the Edmonton Oilers are more likely trade partners for the Blues when it comes to a Binnington trade.

NHL insider Elliotte Friedman reported today that he feels like the Vegas Golden Knights could be in the mix for Binnington.

From Friedman earlier today:

"I think there's a chance Jordan Binnington goes; I'll tell you this, one team I think could be looking for a goalie is Vegas; I don't know that that's gonna be Binnington...but I've just heard it's picked up around him."

Honestly, that makes a LOT of sense too. Vegas has been unstable in goal all season with Adin Hill, Akira Scmid and Carter Hart all unable to take the reigns. Binner in Sin City makes a whole lot of sense and it's exactly in line with the type of big moves that GM Kelly McCrimmon likes to make.

Stay tuned.