Columbus Blue Jackets Working on Goalie Trade

The Columbus Blue Jackets are currently pondering the goaltender trade market as the team needs to move one of their netminders before the Seattle Kraken expansion draft. According to Aaron Portzline of The Athletic, expect to see one of the goalies moved early on this offseason.

Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen had this to say about moving on from either Joonas Korpisalo or Elvis Merzlikins:

If there’s a huge difference (in the trade return), and we don’t think the difference between the goaltenders is as big as the difference in the market, then that could steer us one way or the other way. It’s hard to say what the market will look like. We think both of them are good. I have to listen to the goalie experts. I have to listen to my gut feeling about the upside of the guys and their character and drive and battle level. They’re two completely different personalities.

Both goalies are 27-years-old and have next season left on their contract before heading to unrestricted free-agency. With the Blue Jackets having three first-round picks already, and a huge hole at their #1 center position, many believe the team will move a goalie and a high draft pick to make a blockbuster splash this offseason.