Current goaltenders get shot at starting job
There is one area of the Blue Jackets’ roster that, admittedly, is an unknown for Jarmo Kekalainen.
The general manager is confident in what he has among his skaters, especially defensemen, but goaltending is still a bit of a puzzle after Sergei Bobrovsky signed with the Florida Panthers.
“I’m sure that can qualify as a question mark, but at the same time, (the St. Louis Blues) won the Stanley Cup with a goaltender who was a No. 2 in the (American Hockey League) at this time a year ago,” Kekalainen said, referring to the Blues’ Jordan Binnington. “So, we feel we have two young goaltenders who have great potential.”
One is Joonas Korpisalo, a 25-yearold from Finland with four NHL seasons as Bobrovsky’s backup. The other is Elvis Merzlikins, a 25-yearold from Latvia considered by many as the best goalie outside the NHL.
And throw Veini Vehvilainen in the mix after the 22-year-old earned his second straight Urpo Ylonen Award this season as the best goalie in Finland’s top league.
Korpisalo has posted underwhelming .897 save percentages the past two seasons, but he hasn’t gotten consistent playing time. As a rookie during the 2015-16 season, he had a .920 save percentage in 31 games while Bobrovsky was injured.
“He’s a very talented young goalie,” Kekalainen said. “Now, he’s going to get an opportunity to prove that he can play No. 1.”
Merzlikins was a star for HC Lugano in Switzerland’s top league, winning best goalie honors in 2018.
“Elvis Merzlikins is a very, very talented goalie,” Kekalainen said. “He’s been excellent in Europe and in the world championships, playing against NHL players. Now, let’s see if he can do it in the NHL.”
Kekalainen isn’t scouring for goalies to add, but will if needed.
“We’re confident with the duo that we have, and we’re going to give them an opportunity to show they can be
Trade talk
Kekalainen did not rule out further additions.
“I think we’re in a great position, as far as flexibility in our (salary cap) situation, with our depth chart,” he said. “We have a very strong defense, with all kinds of depth. … Free agency is one (way), but there are many other options to improve your team, and I think we’ve shown in the past that we’re not afraid to make a move if we think a trade makes our team better.”
The Vegas Golden Knights are reportedly listening to offers for Nikita Gusev, a dynamic 26-year-old Russian forward who has yet to play in the NHL, but there is no indication the Blue Jackets have inquired.
Free-agent update
Only two Nhl-level restricted free agents remain unsigned: defensemen Zach Werenski and Scott Harrington.
Both are expected to get sizable raises. Werenski had a $925,000 salary-cap charge last season and made $1,775,000 after his performance bonuses. Harrington, who is arbitration-eligible, made $700,000 and had a $675,000 cap hit.
Player-elected arbitration must be filed by 5 p.m. Friday, and the window for teamelected arbitration is between 5 p.m. Friday and 5 p.m. Saturday.
“I’m confident that we’ll get a deal done with both those guys,” Kekalainen said.
an effective duo in the NHL,” he said. “But I never say ‘never.’”