Keeping the puck out of the net has been an issue for the Blue Jackets over the past handful of seasons. Having been an all-star in the AHL and catapulting the playoff push at the end of last season, Jet Greaves will be a full-time NHL goaltender for the 2025-26 season.
Greaves was signed as an undrafted player in 2022 and was intended to be a depth goaltender in the minor leagues for the organization. However, Greaves has exceeded all expectations. In three seasons with the organization, he has become one of the better goaltenders in the AHL and one of the top goaltending prospects in the NHL. This past season, he went 21-11-6 with a .920% save percentage with the Cleveland Monsters.
Over the previous two seasons, Greaves was a frequent recall from Cleveland. The same was true in 2024-25. While only playing 11 NHL games this past season (he played 9 in 2023-24), the magnitude of the games were drastically different. In 2023-24, the team was near the bottom of the standings and Greaves only played when injuries occurred. This year, the team was in the middle of a playoff push and needed quality goaltending.
When an injury occurred to goaltender Elvis Merzlikins, the team turned to Greaves despite having Daniil Tarasov on the roster. Greaves did not disappoint. He had an overall record of 7-2-2, a 0.938 save percentage, and 1.91 goals against average. He won the final 6 games of the season, recording 2 shutouts and not surrendering more than 2 goals in any of the games. His played earned him the NHL’s #1 star of the week. He was simply outstanding.
With the departure of Tarasov, the team has opened the door for Greaves to be in Columbus full-time. Greaves will battle Merzlikins for playing time. To start the season, the expectation is that he will likely be the backup goaltender. However, if he plays well like last season, don’t be surprised if Greaves surpasses Merzlikins on the depth chart and becomes the #1 goalie for the CBJ. The key will be managing his first full season in the NHL. His workload management and endurance will be put to the test.
Greaves signed a 2-year contract in the summer of 2024, which means he is in the final year of the current deal. His contract is a 1-way contract worth $812,500 per season. After the season ends, he will be a Group 6 unrestricted free agent. Assuming he plays well this season, expect GM Don Waddell to re-sign him to a contract extension by season's end.
CBJ management are high on Greaves and expect him to be a good goaltender at the NHL level. They just want to see him play a full season in the NHL before committing to him long-term.
One bold prediction: Jet Greaves will not only become the #1 goalie in Columbus but will be a top 10 goalie statistically in the NHL.
This is a very bold prediction. I think Greaves will take the reins and be the #1 goalie that the team has needed. But his play to finish last season cannot go unnoticed. If he can replicate that play (or even some of that play), he has a chance to be one of the better goalies in the entire NHL. He was one of the better goalies in the AHL. Who’s to say he can’t be one of the better goalies in the NHL? He has defied the odds everywhere he has been before, and this prediction thinks he can do it again.
Jet Greaves will be a mainstay on the Blue Jackets roster for the 2025-2026 season. His play will dictate how many games he will play. But if the snip-bits he has given us are any indication, expect him to be the #1 goalie that this team has been waiting for.