While Cam Talbot has gotten off to a strong start for the Blue Jackets this year, it's hard to look at it as anything but a hot streak. At 39 years old, he likely doesn't have much gas left in the tank. Fortunately, his heir apparent is already signed for next season. That is, of course, Sergei Ivanov.
Ivanov was selected by the Blue Jackets in the 5th round (pick #138 overall), back at the 2022 NHL Draft. As you typically do with Russian prospects, they have waited patiently while he's developed into the KHL, which is where he's spent most of the last three seasons.
This year, he's on loan with SKA St Petersburg for the second season in a row. So far, his numbers have taken a bit of a dip, with a .912% save percentage, 2.84 goals against average and 1 shutout propped up by a 5-5-0 record.
Last year, he posted a .928%, 2.50GAA stat line with 3 shutouts and a 13-11-2 record with the same team. Not too far off, but he is definitely down a bit. Still, I'm not really concerned about him at this point. I just think it's time to get him over to North America so we can really watch him play.
Sergei is coming over in the spring.
Ivanov is already signed to his entry level contract with the Blue Jackets, so once his KHL season ends, he will be coming to the organization. He will be 23 years old when that happens, and it's possible that he starts with the Cleveland Monsters right away, if they are still playing.
With his age and experience, he should be pretty close to NHL ready. If will take a bit of an adjustment to the North American game, but the pucks and nets are the same size, so I think the plan here is to have him penciled in as the backup to Jet Greaves next year. Of course, things can always change in the next 10 months.
Ivanov is a similar type of goaltender to Greaves. At just 6'0" tall, he relies on his athleticism and reflexes to make saves. When he's confident, he plays big in the net, pushing off and taking away angles from opposition shooters. We ranked him as the #3 prospect in the entire organization over the summer, so we think pretty highly of him.
Obviously, the one concern here would be having two undersized goaltenders in the NHL. But, it seems like the Blue Jackets are prepared to do just that, at least until some of their taller prospects come along.
We'll be watching to see if Ivanov can get his numbers up a bit this season. Playing behind a middle of the pack team will give him plenty of chances to make saves. No better way to prepare for playing behind the Blue Jackets next season.
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