Scenario #3: Greaves continues to develop as the NHL-level backup, Merzlikins and Tarasov leave, and a full time starter is signed or acquired for the short or long term.
The question in this scenario is: Who is realistic for Columbus to acquire as an answer in the net for both the short—and long-term need situations?
A few names currently set to be pending Unrestricted Free Agents at the top of the market are Adin Hill, Cal Petersen, Ville Husso, and old friend Anton Forsberg. These names, and the others available, will likely command somewhere between $3m and $7m AAV for their next contracts, which the Jackets can undoubtedly afford.
The concern, however, is that many of these names have not shown consistent results in recent seasons, which is always the concern about seeking outside help for the goaltending position specifically.
The trade market is, as always, much murkier. Plenty of goaltenders have been traded around the NHL in the last 6-12 months, including big names like Linus Ullmark, Mackenzie Blackwood, and Jacob Markstrom.
This recent flurry has made the top end of the goaltender trade block much more contentious than in past seasons. The first two names that come to mind are John Gibson in Anaheim, especially following the arrival on the scene of Lukas Dostal this season, and the Pittsburgh-maligned Tristan Jarry. Gibson has two years remaining on his deal following this season, and Jarry's contract is due to expire in '27-'28.
Out of all of these options, if I was forced to pick one, I'd try to see if Gibson could end up in Columbus. The Ducks and Jackets have been mutually beneficial trade partners in the past, and I'd expect Pat Verbeek would be all-too-happy to grab some assets from Columbus in exchange for his veteran netminder.
Whatever the case, it's hard to see the Blue Jackets continuing with the same situation in goal next season.