The Blue Jackets Suddenly Have Nowhere to Go but Down

After shocking everyone and sweeping the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs en route to the franchise's first playoff win, the Columbus Blue Jackets find themselves in a rather unfortunate position.

Columbus lost stars Artemi Panarin, Sergei Bobrovsky and Matt Duchene in free agency, and despite the addition of Gustav Nyquist, they are in a position where all they can do is go down. Their roster may be decent, but it is in shambles compared to what it was just last season, especially at the goaltending position.

Joonas Korpisalo's one-year, $1.15 million deal officially locks him into a battle with Elvis Merzlikins for the Blue Jackets' No. 1 goalie job. #CBJ https://t.co/2G4Htog0V6
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) July 2, 2019

A goaltender is the most important position in hockey, and barring any outlandish breakout campaigns, the Blue Jackets will struggle in net this season. Joonas Korpisalo and Elvis Merzlikins are slated to be the one-two combo in net, a steep drop off from one of the NHL's best in Bobrovsky.

Korpisalo has a career 2.89 GAA and a .907 save percentage over the course of an up-and-down 90 game career. Merzlikins has never appeared in an NHL game, but the 25-year-old has impressed overseas, recording a 2.44 GAA and a .921 save percentage in the Swiss National League last year.

#CBJ GM Jarmo Kekalainen says he will keep options open but right now there are not plans to add another goalie: “Right now we are confident in the duo we have.” Joonas Korpisalo and Elvis Merzlikins under contract for next year.
— Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) July 1, 2019

The Blue jackets are in trouble, as Nyquist will not fill the production void of Panarin and Duchene, while their goaltending situation remains fluid. The Jackets finished fifth in the Metro grabbing the last playoff spot last season, but with the Rangers, Devils and Flyers all improving, the Blue Jackets may be at the bottom of the Metro next season.