Columbus Blue Jackets: Five Potential Backup Options
By William Espy
3. Brian Elliott
Brian Elliott has a similar problem as Lehner when it comes to the Columbus Blue Jackets trading in division. The Philadelphia Flyers are known for being a tough market for goaltenders, with there not being a true number one who’s been able to stick since Ilya Bryzgalov.
The last time the Blue Jackets acquired a goaltender from the Flyers, it worked out fairly well for Columbus considering that player would become two time Vezina Trophy winner Sergei Bobrovsky. Elliott hasn’t been his former self since leaving his former home of St. Louis, despite a stop in Calgary and now in Philadelphia. He’s in the second year of a $5.5M contract which carries a $2.75M cap hit.
Elliott used to be an undoubted starting goaltender in St. Louis while they waited for Jake Allen to develop, who has yet to perform to the expectations they placed on him early on. He has a .911 save percentage and a 2.59 goals against average through his first 14 games of the season.
While the numbers aren’t phenomenal, they’re respectable, especially compared to what the Blue Jackets currently have in Korpisalo. Getting Elliott out of Philadelphia could be difficult though, as goaltending is arguably their biggest weakness. However with Paul Holmgren currently running things following the firing of Ron Hextall, last week it’s time to expect the unexpected from Philadelphia.
Brian Elliott like the previous two may not be a long term solution for Jarmo Kekalainen and company, however it could certainly be an added benefit to a long run toward the playoffs.