IF I Traded Joonas Korpisalo, This Is To Who And Why- Blue Jackets 3/9/22

I'm going to start out this post by bringing attention to its title.  Note how the word "IF" is capitalized.  Personally, I like Korpisalo as a player and a person.  However, conversations with fans, Jeff Svoboda and Dylan Tyrer have brought me to remember a former realization I had, last summer.  By "last summer" I mean before July 5th, 2021.  I try not to play favorites on any platform I write for regarding players.  However, Goaltender has always been my favorite position, long before I wrote about hockey.  So, I feel like the events around losing Kivlenieks sudden and tragic passing may have clouded my judgement, just a little bit.  The realization I had prior to those events are simple, and once brought up in tonight's "Skate Space" with Jeff Svoboda and Dylan Tyrer.  Korpisalo is a talented player, when he can do so consistently, and for that reason he deserves to be played consistently in this league.  Seeing Elvis Merzlikins ink his long contract last August was amazing, but that ink solidified Korpisalo as a backup.  He needs to go where he can shine in his own spotlight, and that's simply not going to be Columbus.  So, in this post I'm going to cast my personal feeling to the side, and look objectively at where Korpisalo can be the great Goaltender he is.  

We saw how talented Joonas Korpisalo was in the 2020 Playoff Bubble.  His incredible 5 overtime game was probably the top highlight of his career, even if we did ultimately lose the game, and series, to the Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay Lightning.  That season Korpisalo had a .911 Save Percentage and a stable 2.60 Goals Against Average.  The following season, 2020-21, he had an .894 Save Percentage and a Goals Against Average of 3.30.  

Since then, in the current 2021-22 NHL Season, Korpisalo has been thrown constant curve balls.  These include injury and also illness.  His Save Percentage has gone down slightly more, to a .887, but that's still not bad.  His Goals Against Average is a bit lower too, at 3.82.  Keep in mind these numbers are only over 18 games total.  His record for the season, as a starter, is 6-8-0 over just 14 total games.  That isn't much to go off of, a point also made tonight in "Skate Space" which I feel many of us, fans and writers alike, already saw.  With such low numbers and amount of highlights to market, so far this season, Korpisalo being traded before the Trade Deadline, on March 21, seems unlikely to me.  Then, I remember the Nick Foligno Trade, which shocked us all, and reconsider.  I feel you don't know what's going to happen, with this team Blue Jackets team, unless you are truly one of  the few people making calls for said team.  I know, completely original concept right?  (Insert sarcasm here) 

On a serious note though I feel it's time I make my ideas known, that if I were in that room and making these team decisions, what would I do?  It's intriguing to think about, and after a bit of research, I think I finally have an answer for you all.  Now, you can respectfully disagree with me, I don't mind at all. If you do though, I do ask that you tell me why?  Thank you, let's go.  

Now, tonight on "Skate Space" Dylan Tyrer mentions he sees the two main Goaltenders, going forward for the Blue Jackets, as "Merzlikins and Tarasov".  I do agree with this completely.  We also have Berube in the mix, who did a great job filling in when Merzlikins, Korpisalo and Tarasov were injured.  Further, Jet Graves was also signed recently, with a 3 year deal to play for both AHL and NHL.  Now, Tarasov was injured late last year and won't return this season.  He had successful hip surgery about 2 weeks ago, and although it's fantastic news that went well, he will be out for the next 6 months.  Keep in mind that 6 months doesn't likely include his rehab to come back and play.  If that takes him more time, into the 2022-23 NHL Season, we do have Berube, who can step up under immense pressure, and Graves also.  Why am I going through all of this?  More or less, this tells me we don't need to trade Korpisalo for another Goaltender.  We have so many capable men in the pipeline, of varying ages, that to get a Goaltender for Korpisalo would be a bit cruel.  He likely won't play at all, even for the AHL Monsters, we're just that well stacked in the position.  This is a great situation, however, if not another Goaltender, what do we want in return for Korpisalo?  

In my mind, 2022 NHL Draft Picks.  They are good as gold in two ways.  First, you can use them to simply draft a young player.  In 2021's Draft we let Seth Jones go to the Blackhawks, in exchange we got a First-Round Draft pick, #12 overall.  Guess who we used that on?  Cole Sillinger.  I'm not trying to sound like a tanager here, but that was a drop mic moment, acquiring Mike Sillinger's son, and it has been ever since.  Draft picks are a beautiful thing because second, they can be traded for other things.  "I'll give you these 2 picks for your            "  Truly, sometimes it is that easy.  Again, Draft Picks are gold.  Fans are worried about two areas from what I've seen and read, Defense and Center.  Either a Draft Pick received and used by us in 2022, or a Draft Pick trade(s), both can easily fix these issues.  

Now, only one question remains.  Who do you call?  Personally, having followed this team from the 2020 Playoff Bubble until now, as a writer, I want to see Korpi go where he will play.  I don't want to see him go to a team where he's on a bench, again.  This is where the situation becomes a bit tricky.  Why?  I looked into the lower performing teams this season, so far.  Most have their older Goaltender who plays as a starter, and their younger goaltender, who is a mentee.  Korpisalo isn't a young Goaltender, but he isn't older, by means of the position, either.  He's in that sweet spot of said career, so to speak.  He can still learn, as any good hockey player continues to do, throughout their career.  With that being said, Korpisalo brings NHL knowledge with him wherever he goes.  This, I think, is the most valuable point to Korpisalo.  He's learned, but is obviously ready to keep learning more.  Further, if you've watched his postgame interviews, he's humble and eager to play.  That trifecta could, and should, give him a chance beyond Columbus.  With who?  That I simply don't know.  

In the Eastern Divisions, my thought process started out wondering which teams have had the worst season, so far.  Maybe a deal could be found with one of them.  With Carey Price returning to the Canadians soon, post injury, that avenue seems unlikely.  The Flyers, who gave us a great deal last season for Cam Atkinson, also haven't had the greatest season.  They are currently last in the Metro Division, but seem to have their mentor/mentee goaltender situation set.  

Last season, there were some low grade conversations with the Oilers about Korpisalo.  However, they fell through when we reportedly wanted a Goaltender in return AND a 1st Round Draft Pick.  Steep price, I'll agree with that.  The Oilers have 3 listed Goaltenders, Smith (41-years-old), Koskinen (33-years-old) and Skinner (23-years-old).  Again, this wouldn't really be the ideal situation for Korpisalo.  Even if Smith retired at the end of this season, Koskinen would simply move up and have the young Skinner as his backup.  The Sabres, have the same situation.  However, the Devils, they might have promise.  

The New Jersey Devils are currently 7th in the Metro Division out of 8 total teams.  They have Blackwood, who is only 25-years-old.  After him the next player in line, as per Google, is Daws at age 21.  Could Korpisalo slip into that age range?  I think it's possible.  So, I would keep the Devils as an option here.  He is slightly older and could do well as a leader here.  

Another, bigger opportunity I see is the Florida Panthers, which was pointed out to me by a fellow 5th Line fan, Brett.  (For all your help man, let me know if you're okay with me adding your last name here, I will gladly do so.)  The Panthers are a team which have grown with incredible speed.  They currently have Bobrovsky, another former Blue Jackets Goaltender.  No surprise, he is their starter.  As backup they have Johansson, age 26, with low numbers.  He has a .815 Save Percentage and a 5.34 Goals Against Average.  Shocking right?  Well, he's only played 1 game, which was ultimately a loss for the Panthers.  The question remains, do we want to reunite Bobrovsky and Korpisalo in a team setting which has already proven they can win big?  Something to chew on 5th Line.  

In the West Divisions I see other options.  We did trade to gain back the Kraken's initial, entry level Draft choice.  So, maybe they want a Blue Jacket from us?  It's possible since they don't have one and are currently last in their Pacific Division.  Also, in the Central Division, the Blackhawks are second to last.  They did deals with us last season for both Caleb and Seth Jones.  Maybe they'd be willing to toss us a few more draft picks, if they move the great Fleury out?  Anything is possible.  In the same division I'd also toss in the Coyotes, who are last in the Central.  Again, anything is possible and being last in their division, good draft picks are likely.  More likely, their desire to make changes to win in the 2022-23 NHL Season.       

Regardless of the outcome, it's likely safe to say Korpisalo is going to be in a different jersey this time next year.  Who's jersey that will be, no one can predict that perfectly.  However, the above options, mainly the Sabres and Panthers, I think hold the most promise.   The Sabres may offer up more draft picks for a Goaltender than can add with age, as with such comes practiced wisdom.  However, the Panthers have had great success with Bobrovsky, and for that reason I'd call them first, no doubt.  This is a tricky subject though, so I really want to hear from you 5th Line.  Many of you agree to trade him, but I want to know more, with what Brett told me about the Panthers.  Where do you see him going?  Where do you think he'll do well?                 

Go CBJ1