Korpisalo Had Season Long Hip Issue, Will Miss Rest Of Season For Surgery- 3/24/22

To those who have been on his case recently, maybe this will fix some attitudes.  This should be a dose of reality in a regard you don't know what any of these players are going through.  Case and point, the comments from Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen.  "This is an injury that Joonas has been dealing with for some time and it has now gotten to the point where surgery is the best option.  We are disappointed for him as he has worked extremely hard to be able to play, but this is the best course of action." Via NHL.com (https://www.nhl.com/bluejackets/news/cbj-g-joonas-korpisalo-to-undergo-hip-surgery/c-332197876)  It should come as no surprise to anyone that with only 18 games remaining, this will render him out for the conclusion of this 2021-22 NHL Season.

This is so sad as many fans, myself included, saw this as Korpisalo's chance to finish this season out strong.  Merzlikins is out, yet again, and that left the Blue Jackets Goaltending duties on to Korpisalo.  Now, with him out as well, Berube will likely be in net against Jets, tomorrow night.  I believe Graves will back him up, simply because he's about the only Goaltender remaining.  Keep in mind that Tarasov is out himself for this same reason, hip surgery. 

I understand that Korpisalo is 27-years-old, but that isn't old for a Goaltender.  Tarasov is only 22-years-old and Merzlikins is only 26-years-old.  All of the men are in there prime.  A suggestion I have to this team is to improve their Defense and Offense through the 2022 NHL Draft and before the 2022-23 NHL Season Begins.  These men are constantly being credited for incredible saves, which is a cool thing to see.  However, them constantly over extending and diving to make several "incredible saves" a game, is likely a factor in all of this.  This team has to protect their Goaltenders better or these issues will continue to happen.  Each Goaltender is different and having to switch out between 4 or 5 isn't going to help this team win.  This must improve in the off season.  This actually goes beyond winning in my mind, these are men's careers on the line.  

Personally, I wish Korpisalo the best, as I have every injured player this year.  Hopefully he can return next year and play better than ever before.  The surgery hasn't happened yet, but I'll let you know when it does, I promise 5th Line.  Until then we can only support him in what has likely been an incredibly difficult decision.  He's expressed his love for this city, now it's time to show him the love right back.  Let's not forget he's been playing with this team for 7 years.  He's given a lot to us and now deserves respect more than ever before.  

Further, and you don't have to agree with me on this, I'd sign Korpisalo to a short 1-year deal, next season.  Why?  After this season likely no one will sign him.  This team has more or less put him in this situation.  He needs a better season to show and has it within his skill set, that much is clear.  Jeff Svoboda brought this idea up in Skate Space last night, due to the season already.  Now with this development I completely agree with him.  If you look over his overall stats he does have a .902 Save Percentage and a 3.04 Goals Against Average.  Give him another season, where he can play without pain, and i think he'll surprise us all.  I do.  

Wishing you the best, Korpisalo.  

Source:

 https://www.nhl.com/bluejackets/news/cbj-g-joonas-korpisalo-to-undergo-hip-surgery/c-332197876 



    

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