The Columbus Blue Jackets recently were ranked as having the third-best prospect pool, which takes quite a bit off of a new GM’s plate once the team announces them. That is why the Blue Jackets GM opening is so attractive, what is not attractive is a whole laundry list of issues and question marks that realistically could take longer to sort through.
First will be the goaltending or at least it should be. Elvis Merzlikins was the worst goalie in the NHL during the 2022-23 NHL season, unfortunately, Merzlikins is once again the worst goalie in the NHL this season. Buying Merzlikins contract out would be the best route unless the team retained around 35% of his salary. Daniil Tarasov has been getting more starts in net and has looked the part of a starting goalie. Tarasov has battled injuries but this season has been healthy and looks like he is living up to his potential.
The Blue Jackets defense has been nearly awful. The only exceptions have been Zach Werenski and Adam Boqvist. A massive overhaul is needed. It seems likely that David Jiricek and Denton Mateychuk will be given every opportunity to break camp with the team next fall. Mateychuk nearly made the Blue Jackets opening night roster this past September.
The Blue Jackets have a handful of restricted free agents that the new GM will have to sort through; it is expected most will resign. The Blue Jackets are in good shape with the salary cap and will look to add a veteran or two to help stabilize a young roster.
Another big question is coach Pascal Vincent, will he survive or will a new GM want to bring in his guy, which he certainly has the right to do? This is not an easy situation, if the Blue Jackets' young players; (Kirill Marchenko, Yegor Chinakov, Dmitri Voronkov, Adam Fantilli, Cole Sillinger, and some others) did not perform well and develop the answer would be more obvious. But the young players have played well and developed making Vincent somewhat valuable. That value will be solely based on what the new GM believes is the right path.
While it is easy to look at the record and feel like a total rebuild is needed that is not the case. Solid young player, a top prospect pool will make the next move fascinating.
Cover Photo Credit: Columbus Blue Jackets/NHL
