The Columbus Blue Jackets are continuing to roster three goalies on their NHL roster, a bizarre but understandable alignment.
On a typical 23-man roster, teams will roster either 13 forwards/7 defensemen or 14/8, and will round out the roster with two goalies. Some of that rationale is logistical - there are two nets for practice, not three, for example. A more equitable split in games played leaves a second goalie with plenty of reps but still would mean a lessened role for a theoretical third. Plus, teams are more likely to cycle through their healthy scratch forwards/defensemen before needing to dip into a third goalie.
But the Blue Jackets find themselves in a predicament that doesn't have an easy solution. All three goalies - Elvis Merzlikins, Daniil Tarasov, and Spencer Martin - would require waivers to be sent to the AHL. In a perfect world, the team would simply move on from Martin in favor of Tarasov, but Tarasov has been injury-plagued going back to his draft season, and this season is no different. It's not like Martin has been terrible, but his .892 save percentage/3.57 goals-against average is what is keeping him in Columbus. It's Tarasov's unavailability. While Tarasov is toolsy, he's been unable to put it all together, either by virtue of injury or just inconsistencies, over his young career.
On Monday morning's 32 Thoughts Podcast, hosted by SportsNet's Elliotte Friedman and Jeff Marek, Friedman mentioned Columbus specifically as a team that could fulfill the Carolina Hurricanes goalie woes. Merzlikins, he noted, could be in play, though Martin could be seen as more appealing given his low cap hit.
Separately, there has been some clamoring for Jet Greaves to get the call-up after his impressive two-game cameo last week. I've been critical of the Blue Jackets development decision-making, but I do agree that Greaves should play in the AHL and get proper seasoning. He's still incredibly green and is only 22. Playing regularly in the AHL is an acceptable plan for him.
But in Columbus, in another lost season, goaltending has not been the issue. Merzlikins has been basically league-average. Still, it would be nice to see the future of the club play. Merzlikins, thanks to his contract, is certainly part of that tandem. But is Tarasov? That still needs to be determined.
