It';s a sentence that every Columbus Blue Jacket fan doesn';t want to consider.
 Sergei Bobrovsky might be gone after this season.

One of the faces of the Blue Jackets since arriving in Columbus, Bobrovsky has
been a major reason why the team has finally enjoyed some regular season
success. But after this season, he needs a new contract. That contract will
cost Columbus a very pretty penny (or several million.)

This situation is quite the dilemma from a Blue Jackets'; perspective. We know
the successes (two Vezina Trophies) and the failures (hasn';t won a playoff
series.) The question that the team must eventually answer is are they willing
to pay upwards of $10 million over a multi-year contract to keep him?

The Blue Jackets can afford to do this especially if Artemi Panarin ends up
somewhere else. But they have to decide if this is a wise investment not only
now, but in 4-6 years or more.

If there was playoff success on his resume, it';s an easier pill to swallow. As
 is, the possibility of Bobrovsky on another team is decently high. With that
in mind, we must consider life after Bobrovsky as hard as it is to do.

This involves a quick rundown of who is currently in the organization from a
depth-chart perspective. Is there anyone that could slide in and assume the
starter';s role? Upon review, it';s a clear downgrade but an interesting
dynamic with upside.If Bobrovsky is gone, is Joonas Korpisalo a viable
number-one option? (Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports)Joonas Korpisalo

Sort of the forgotten man in the goalie conversation, Joonas Korpisalo is the
clear backup to Bobrovsky to start this season. He too is due a new contract.
You think he has a lot on the line in a contract year? What will be interesting
 to watch at the beginning of this season is how many games he gets into. Will
coach John Tortorella trust Korpisalo enough to earn more starts?

The answer to that is simple. It depends on Korpisalo. Can he play consistently
 enough in the starts he gets to earn more chances?

Remember the Blue Jackets protected him from Vegas in the deal that saw William
 Karlsson go to the Golden Knights. Clearly the team believed in his ability.
With the possibility of Bobrovsky gone after the season, Korpisalo could ascend
 to number one. Given his bouts of inconsistency to this point, that';s less
than ideal. But...Elvis Merzlikins

But Elvis, has just, entered, Nationwide Arena. We could be saying that
starting in 2019-20. Merzlikins has one more season in Switzerland before he
can come to North America. Given his performance on the big stage in
international tournaments, some think he could have the inside track to
starting game one in 2019.

The obvious question is can Merzlikins translate his international success to
the NHL? If he plays anything like he does now, it would be a more cost
effective alternative to paying Bobrovsky $10 million or more. Is that a risk
you';re willing to take? I think many of you would say yes.

The Blue Jackets have expressed their desire to keep Bobrovsky if they can find
 common ground. But if not, here';s your plan B. Honestly it could be worse.
Merzlikin';s upside does take some of the sting out of losing a star.

Elvis Merzlikins, with a potentially bright NHL future in sight, checks in at
No. 3 in our Blue Jackets prospect rankings. #CBJ https://t.co/AZmYYQIojB

- 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) August 29, 2018

Even Later - Daniil Tarasov

From a lost draft season to the potential starter for Russia at the World
Juniors, Tarasov is writing quite the story for himself. His recent performance
 at the Four-Nations Tournament opened eyes. He was one of if not the best
player on Russia.

If Tarasov keeps this going, we could eventually see him in Columbus. If we
assume any combination of Bobrovsky, Korpisalo or Merzlikins patrols the crease
 for the next few seasons, having Tarasov on deck is a nice position to be in.
Again, if he reaches his upside, it takes some of the sting out of possibly
losing Bobrovsky.

The Blue Jackets also have Matiss Kivlenieks and J.F. Berube likely to share
time in Cleveland. Kivlenieks could be interesting much later on. Berube can
come to Columbus this season in the event of injury. He can also help mentor
Matiss.

Losing Bobrovsky will hurt. You don';t just replace a multiple Vezina winner.
However the Blue Jackets are positioned to move on if they have to. That';s how
 the goalies have to see this situation. There might be an opening. They have
to play like it';s their position to lose. A great season from Korpisalo could
give him his chance. Merzlikins could benefit from timing.

Or maybe Bobrovsky does stay. Which would you feel better about? Would you
rather have Bobrovsky at $10 million or Korpisalo/Merzlikins for a small
percentage of that?

If Columbus doesn';t pay up, life without Bobrovsky will become reality. But
given who';s on deck, there';s worse things that could happen.

 

The post Imagining Life After Sergei Bobrovsky appeared first on The Hockey
Writers.

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