Many fans were hoping that Jet Greaves would be a full-time member of the Blue Jackets in 2024-25 due to the inconsistent play of Elvis Merzlikins and Daniil Tarasov. However, due to contractual reasons and continued growth, general manager Don Waddell elected to have Greaves start and play in the AHL. He would only play in the NHL as a result of injury to one of the NHL goaltenders.
Through a majority of the season, Jet was merely a call-up. He would play in a game or two per month at most. He played well in his limited action in Columbus. But he spent most of the season being the starting goaltender for the Cleveland Monsters, going 21-11-6 with a 0.920 save percentage. Those are solid numbers.
However, at the end of the regular season, a concussion to Elvis Merzlikins resulted in a call-up of Greaves. Not only was Greaves called to be in the NHL, but he was also tasked with starting the final 6 games of the regular season due to Tarasov's struggles. Greaves made the most of his opportunity.
He went 6-0-0 with 2 shutouts, earning 1st star of the week for the entire NHL. He was cool, calm, and collected. Simply put, he was phenomenal. At a time when the Blue Jackets were on their final hopes of making the playoffs, Jet delivered and kept their playoff chances alive through the 2nd to last day of the regular season. Had the Blue Jackets made the playoffs, it wouldn’t have surprised anyone if they elected to continue playing Greaves into the playoffs. He looked that good.
Jet finished the season with the Blue Jackets with a record of 7-2-2, 0.938 save percentage, and 1.91 goals against average. Among goalies that played in 10 games or more, he was #1 in the NHL in save percentage and goals against average. It’s too bad Jet didn’t play more games for the Blue Jackets (especially in March). If the team had just 1 more regulation win, they could have made the playoffs.
At the end of season media days, Waddell had only complimentary things to say about Jet. One interesting comment was that Jet had one of the best gloves that Waddell has ever seen. Don mentioned that Jet catches everything. That is high praise from someone who has been around the game for a long time. One would tend to think that Waddell hold Jet Greaves in high regard, as he should.
Jet has one more year on his deal - which requires waivers to be sent back to the American Hockey League - and will be a restricted free agent after the 2025-26 season. If he is good (or great) in his first full NHL season, I have no doubt that Waddell will extend him past next season.
Final season stats: 11 games played, 7 wins, 2 losses, 2 OTL, 1.91 GAA, 0.938 save percentage, 2 SO. Overall grade: A+
Despite minimal playing time in the NHL for most of the season, Jet was absolutely fantastic to end the season. He carried the Blue Jackets to the finish line and made the hockey world aware of who Jet Greaves is. He has earned the attention of many and will be a part of the Blue Jackets goalie rotation next season. He gets an A+ for his stellar play in both the NHL and AHL.