Both Columbus Blue Jackets Goaltenders Deemed Unavailable

The Columbus Blue Jackets were left scrambling to find a replacement on Wednesday as both Elvis Merzlikins and Joonas Korpisalo went down with non-COVID related illnesses. The team has since called up Daniil Tarasov from the minors.

NEWS: #CBJ will recall goaltender Daniil Tarasov from @monstershockey on emergency basis and he is expected to play tonight vs. Dallas. Both Elvis Merzlikins and Jonas Korpisalo are ill (non COVID).
— CBJ Public Relations (@BlueJacketsPR) December 2, 2021

At the moment the Blue Jackets don't have a backup goalie to dress. Tarasov is a 22-year-old rookie who has performed well in the American Hockey League this season. So far in nine appearances Tarasov has put up a 2.96 goals against average. He was a third-round pick back in 2017 out of Russia.

#CBJ G Daniil Tarasov is expected to land in Dallas on his flight from Cleveland around 2 p.m. central.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) December 2, 2021

As for Merzlikins and Korpisalo, no word yet on how long they are going to be out for. Merzlikins is the hot hand in Columbus as he's performed very well this season, recording a 2.61 GAA and a .923 save %. Meanwhile Korpisalo is all over the trade rumor mill and looks to be moved out in the coming weeks.

Talk about getting thrown into a dress rehearsal. Let's hope Tarasov has a good flight, gets in on time and performs well for the Blue Jackets. If so, he could be finding himself back there later on this season.

#CBJ morning EBUG Casey Sherwood … owns a construction company here, is friends with former Jackets Aaron Johnson and Curtis McElhinney, used McElhinney’s stick today and has a men’s league game tonight that he might be too dehydrated to play in.

Hockey 🥅. pic.twitter.com/PoxLJEVjAI
— Brian Hedger (@BrianHedger) December 2, 2021