Blue Jackets Shake Up Goalie Rotation Amid Illness and Tight Schedule

In the first month of the 2025-26 NHL season, the Columbus Blue Jackets had a clear pattern for their starting goaltender - it was simply a matter of who had started the previous game. Head coach Dean Evason rotated between Jet Greaves and Elvis Merzļikins, with each goalie starting 7 of the first 14 games.

However, this rotation was recently disrupted during a tough stretch for the Blue Jackets. Greaves started 3 games in 4 days, including back-to-back contests in Edmonton and Seattle, as well as a home game against the Oilers. This heavy workload for the rookie goaltender was due to Merzļikins' illness, as the team's general manager Don Waddell revealed that Merzļikins "had the flu" and "couldn't practice."

Despite Merzļikins indicating he was feeling better, the Blue Jackets' coaching staff remains cautious about rushing him back. Evason emphasized that the team still trusts both Greaves and Merzļikins, and that the starting decision for each game will be made on a day-to-day basis. The coaches engage in heated debates to determine the best choice, consulting the front office to "make the intelligent decision."

As the Blue Jackets navigate a packed schedule with 15 back-to-back games this season, having two reliable goaltenders is crucial. While Greaves' recent heavy workload has raised eyebrows, Evason insists this is not an indication that he has emerged as the team's clear-cut number one. The competition between the two goalies continues, with the coaches determined to give both players opportunities to prove themselves and help the team win.