Could a Central Division Team Help the Bruins With a Goalie?

Could the Bruins work a deal for one of the two Columbus goalies?

The Columbus Blue Jackets have two goalies, both entering the final years of their deals that nobody would be surprised if either was moved this summer.

Joonas Korpisalo and Elvis Merzlikins both will enter the second and final year of their two-year deals, and both carry a different cap hit. Korpisalo carries a $2.8 million hit, while Merzlikins is a little not more at $4 million.

This season, Korpisalo and Merzlikins split time between the pipes for the Blue Jackets. Korpisalo went 9-13-7 in 2021 with a 3.30 goals-against average (GAA) and a .894 save percentage (SV%). Merzlikins went 8-12-5, with a 2.77 GAA and a .920 SV%.

Korpisalo, who was selected 62nd in the third round of the 2012 Entry Draft, has spent six years in Columbus, while Merzlikins, who was taken 76th in the third round of the 2014 Entry Draft, has just two NHL seasons under his belt.

Which one would the Bruins prefer? Korpisalo is the cheaper of the two with more experience, but which one would work better for this season with either Jeremy Swayman or Dan Vladar until Rask comes back if re-signed? That’s what the Bruins would have to figure out. Columbus is going to be going through a rebuild, so they might be willing to part ways with one of their two goalies for the right price.

There is no doubt there is a need between the pipes for Boston beginning the 2021-22 season, just how much of need will be decided on whether the team brings back Rask, or moves on the from the veteran.