The 2025 NHL Entry Draft and the bulk of NHL Free Agency have come and gone. The Blue Jackets made some moves this offseason and the roster is beginning to take shape. In this series, we will dissect each area of the team by position. The final position group that we will examine is the goaltenders.
The Blue Jackets have two goalies signed to NHL (one-way contracts) deals that will be on the roster. That means that the goaltending tandem is set. The key will be how many games each goalie will get.
Starting Goaltender: Jet Greaves
The time to give Jet the net has come. Jet Greaves has been waiting for his shot in the NHL for three years. He has been one of the better goaltenders in the AHL for Clevland and he has performed well in Columbus when called upon.
At the end of last season, Jet took the NHL by storm earning the 1st star of the week and helping the CBJ make a final push towards the playoffs. He will now be a full-time NHL player. The key here is how many games will he play. I suspect they will give him 45-55 starts, depending on how he is doing.
Backup Goaltender: Elvis Merzlikins
Elvis Merzlikins has been the #1 goaltender in Columbus for five seasons now. Unfortunately for him, he has struggled with consistency and can no longer be considered a #1 goalie based on his numbers.
He will still see plenty of games this season (I suspect 30-35). The key for him is seizing his opportunity with those games. Maybe having be surpassed on the depth chart will push him to regain his form? He is a fiery guy of course, so it is possible. But either way, the team needs him to stay healthy and be a solid #2 this upcoming season.
Other Potential Players: Zachary Sawchenko
Sawchenko is the only other goalie within the CBJ organization that has NHL experience. While he has not been a spectacular goaltender for the club, he is the third best goaltender within the organization. If injuries occur to Greaves or Merzlikins, Sawchenko will likely be the first call-up.
I expect the team to continue to pursue further goalie depth. Merzlikins has a history of injuries, and we haven’t seen Greaves play a full NHL season. Having depth at the position is key to maintaining competitiveness.
This is the Blue Jackets goaltenders as of early July. Anything can change between now and the start of the season (trades, signings, etc.). But, as of now, this appears to be the likely goaltending tandem for the 2025-2026 Columbus Blue Jackets.