Columbus Blue Jackets: The Biggest Decision in Franchise History
By William Espy
There are choices that a general manager has to make at the NHL level which can define a franchise, Jarmo Kekalainen and the Columbus Blue Jackets face one of these decisions in just over a year’s time.
Sergei Bobrovsky is arguably the face of the Columbus Blue Jackets, and has been the best player on the team for many years (at least until the acquisition of countryman Artemi Panarin). Jarmo Kekalainen faces a decision that no general manager would envy, as his longevity in Columbus likely depends on the success of his choice of three options.
Jarmo can either re-sign Bobrovsky to a deal that will likely end up around the $10M a year range, trade Bobrovsky and hope that a goaltending duo led by Joonas Korpisalo and a currently unknown backup would be enough to reach the playoffs once again, or let him walk at the end of the year.
The third option is almost certainly off of the books, as it’s unlikely that Kekalainen would waste a potential asset when he could get a very sizable return. This leaves either re-signing or trading as the two realistic options.
Trading Bob
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Trading Bobrovsky would certainly clear up a large portion of cap space, however it would leave the team in a predicament similar to that currently in Philadelphia. A team that could contend for the Stanley Cup annually, except for the fact that it’s missing a quality goaltender. Joonas Korpisalo has had streaks of above average or even great play, however he has yet to do it at a consistently. Joonas Korpisalo isn’t ready to be a starting goalie on a Stanley Cup contending team.
Sergei Bobrovsky could be very similar to Marc-Andre Fleury‘s story in Pittsburgh, annually struggles in the playoffs however after a few changes and some experience he turns it around. However, Joonas Korpisalo isn’t a Matt Murray who’s going to push the starter out of town. Bobrovsky’s playoff struggles are an important issue to keep in mind, however until there’s a player who performs well enough to truly earn the starting job over him the Columbus Blue Jackets need to stick to what works. What works in Columbus is undoubtedly Sergei Bobrovsky.
While there have been big decisions both positive, such as the Rick Nash trade bringing back multiple assets or the acquisition of Artemi Panarin, and negative like the decisions to acquire Adam Foote and Jeff Carter, none have truly had the ability to completely change the short term and long term future of the franchise instantly.
If the team loses Bobrovsky, one of two things will happen. Korpisalo or another goaltending prospect will become an elite level goaltender within the next five years and give the Columbus Blue Jackets exactly what they need to win, the ability for a goaltender to steal a game.
Next: The Case for Trading Korpisalo
The other option is no goaltender in the Blue Jackets organization lives up to the level of a true NHL starter and the team as a result gives up more goals than it is able to score on a regular basis. The odds are 50/50, and with the success of Vegas this year it may be the year general managers decide to gamble. This roll of the dice though could potentially effect a decade or more of Columbus Blue Jackets hockey.