Is there a three-headed monster looming?
With Elvis Merzlikins and Spencer Martin on the roster, rotating their time in the crease, and Daniil Tarasov nearing a return, the Columbus Blue Jackets will face an interesting scenario with their timeshare in net.
Such as who stays and who goes. If anyone goes.
Merzlikins has been the No. 1 goaltender for the Jackets, while Martin, claimed off waivers before the season, has filled in as the backup with Tarasov out because of a knee injury.
Merzlikins (6-8-3, 3.04 GAA, .911 SV%) and Martin (2-6-1, 3.20 GAA, .902 SV%) have played well for Columbus. Probably the biggest question mark before the season, the goaltending position has provided the most stability for head coach Pascal Vincent this year.
Merzlikins came off a season-high 41-save performance in Friday night’s 4-2 win over the Ottawa Senators, in which he was the game’s first star. Since Nov. 1, Merzlikins is 4-6-1, .916, 2.99.
On Saturday, it was announced Tarasov would be placed on a Long-Term Injured Reserve conditioning assignment with the Cleveland Monsters, indicating his return is nearing. And thus creating a logjam in goal.
Once Tarasov is ready to ready to return, he'll likely be in Columbus since he would have to clear waivers to be placed in the AHL.
Would Columbus risk losing him in such a move?
Tarasov's current assignment in Cleveland allows for him to be there for six days or three games. As The Athletic's Aaron Porzline wrote on Sunday, the Blue Jackets could be granted a two-game extension to keep him in Cleveland. The Blue Jackets could also carry three goaltenders on the NHL roster which is not ideal. Or the Blue Jackets can make it a regular conditioning assignment lasting two weeks, though Tarasov would count against the Blue Jackets' 23-man roster in that scenario.
In Tarasov's first game for the Monsters, he made 22 saves in Friday's 4-2 win over the Utica Comets.
For the last handful of Blue Jackets games, scouts have been on hand as rumors have swirled about a possible trade to resolve another roster logjam on the blue line.
Same three Edmonton scouts on the pass list again here in Columbus for #CBJ vs Senators tonight: Warren Rychel, Jeff Salajko and Brad Holland.
— Brian Hedger (@BrianHedger) December 1, 2023
Two from Vegas here, as well and 11 in total.
You may have heard, but it may behoove the Jackets to reduce some roster logjams.
There are 13 teams on the scouting list in Boston, but none from Edmonton, Vegas or Washington.
— Brian Hedger (@BrianHedger) December 3, 2023
EDM had three reps at each of the Jackets' past three games. Vegas had two for OTT. Trade speculation is centered on Elvis Merzlikins, who's backing up Spencer Martin tonight.#CBJ
Andrew Peeke and Adam Boqvist have been healthy scratches for the majority of the season, with Boqvist getting more play of late. He is playing well in his opportunity as Damon Severson is on IR with an oblique injury.
But could a possible trade also include one of the goalies?
Martin is certainly a candidate to be moved as he’s cheap with a cap hit through the rest of the season of $762,500. However, he would have to pass through waivers before the Blue Jackets can trade him anywhere.
Martin likely wouldn’t fetch much in a trade return as he’s not a starter teams are going to throw a lot in for. A move at the trade deadline could make sense for contenders interested in goalie insurance for the stretch run.
But Martin’s definitely one option. Could Merzlikins be the other?
Moving Merzlikins might be curious to consider. He’s in the second of a five-year contract with a cap hit of $5,400,000.
Some teams might view Merzlikins as the perfect change of scenery candidate and could further unlock the potential it looks like he’s tapped into this season after a miserable year in 2022-23.
There’s been plenty of speculation with the Edmonton Oilers as a possible suitor.
Elvis Merzlikins
— Jonathan Willis (@JonathanWillis) December 2, 2023
Cap hit: $5.4MM thru 2027
Actual dollars: $15.75MM over next 3 seasons
5v5 SV%, 21-present: .906
4v5 SV%, 21-present: .879
Jack Campbell:
Cap hit: $5.0MM thru 2027
Actual dollars: $13.5MM over next 3 seasons
5v5 SV%, 21-present: .907
4v5 SV%, 21-present: .865
Jack Campbell has struggled since joining the Oilers a season ago and was demoted to the minors in November. Over that span, he's 22-13-4, .886 GAA, 3.53 SV%.
As the days go by, we'll see what happens. General manager Jarmo Kekalainen has interesting scenarios to figure out.
