Time management
Jackets' Merzlikins, Korpisalo battle for starter's minutes
Joonas Korpisalo isn't going to pout.
A week ago, the Blue Jackets goalie learned about his counterpart in net, Elvis Merzlikins, signing a five-year contract extension worth $27 million and he took the news in stride.
“That was super, because I had no idea about that,” said Korpisalo, who like Merzlikins is in the final year of his contract. “It's business. But frankly, I don't give a (expletive) what happened. I'm still going to do me. It's still the same team, same guys. It's good to be here and I'm going to push with everything I can. It's not going to change anything for me.”
Not for the short term, anyway. Broadening the scope, it has become much easier to deduce that Korpisalo's days as a Blue Jackets goalie are dwindling. He and Merzlikins have shown they're each capable of handling the weight of being a No. 1 goalie and neither has played their best while splitting time.
Both want to be No. 1s, both wanted to stay in Columbus and the Blue Jackets had a tough choice while mulling the risk of losing both as free agents next summer. The salary now invested in Merzlikins indicates he's their pick, but the Jackets' front office and coach Brad Larsen aren't stating it that way.
Larsen said he's “not going to coach the money,” just because Merzlikins signed an extension. General manager Jarmo Kekalainen approves.
“Ice time will not be divided by the numbers on the contract,” Kekalainen said. “It will be divided by their play. We've had a great goaltending tandem for the last couple of years. They've competed hard for the ice time. They will continue to compete hard for the ice time.”
Neither goalie reached his potential last season, which contributed to the Blue Jackets' struggles. Merzlikins and Korpisalo each said that playing more would foster better results for each.
Both wanted that opportunity to