Scenario 3: Jet Greaves and Ivan Fedotov are the tandem in Columbus with Elvis Merzlikins being sent to Cleveland.
This is the most interesting scenario. In this case, both Greaves and Fedotov show that they are clearly the best two goalies and the two that the team wants to play with in the 2025-2026 campaign.
This would require the team to send Merzlikins to Cleveland. However, he would require being put on waivers prior to being sent to Cleveland. With Merzlikins' contract ($5.4 million per season for 2 more seasons), it is highly unlikely that he will be claimed by another club. Should he not get claimed, then he would be sent to Cleveland and be the starting goalie for the Monsters.
There are a couple sub-scenarios that could make taking scenario 3 a difficult decision.
Sub-Scenario 1: What if Merzlikins does get claimed while on waivers?
The Blue Jackets would [finally] be done with his contract. Both the player and team move on and get fresh starts. The only issue with this is that now the Blue Jackets lose that goalie depth that Don Waddell so badly wanted. In this sub-scenario, the CBJ would again be on the hunt for an additional goalie, which would be difficult to come by at this point in the season.
Sub-Scenario 2: What if Merzlikins refuses to report to Cleveland?
We know that Merzlikins has a lot of pride and wears his emotions on his sleeve. A couple of seasons ago, he was very clear in his desire to be a #1 in the NHL and would welcome a trade if he wasn’t the #1 goalie in Columbus.
To be clear, he hasn’t requested a trade this season. But if he is put on waivers, clears, and then is sent to Cleveland, he could refuse to report to Cleveland and request a trade since he would not be in the NHL.
In this sub-scenario, the team could do a couple things. First, they could try to trade him, which has proven difficult with his mediocre performance and contract. This seems unlikely.
Second, they could suspend him, which could lead to the termination of his contract. That would get the team out of his contract, and he would be free to sign elsewhere. But again, the team loses the goaltending depth that they desire.
Given all three scenarios, I still think that scenario 1 is the most likely to occur. However, Fedotov’s solid preseason play has increased the likelihood of scenarios 2 or 3 happening.
My suspicion is that scenario 2 would be the preferred option. However, there are pros and cons to each scenario. The decision will be difficult for GM Don Waddell to make, especially if Fedotov continues to play well this preseason. The remaining four preseason games should help determine which scenario will be best course of action for the organization.