How To Fix CBJ

Team: 2019-20 Columbus Blue Jackets

Initial Creation Date: Jul. 19, 2019

Published: Jul. 19, 2019

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

The goaltending situation on this team is gonna be anywhere between sorta bad and worst in the league. Korpisalo is a bad goalie, and Merzlikins might be good, but this is his first season in North America, so it's not like it's reasonable to expect him to be lights out in a 1a/1b role. CBJ needs to trade for a goalie who can cover starting duties for at least next season so Merzlikins can properly adjust to NHL hockey, and improving their goalie situation is their best bet at not being a bottom 5 team.

I understand that the more flashy and noticeable fix is to just add a bunch of forward talent to this team (i.e. offer sheeting Marner), but in terms of which position has the most leverage over the team's ability to win games, goalie is the most important. Doesn't matter how many goals you score if you can't stop the other team from doing the same, so you'd do well to improve your team's ability to do the latter.

Note: in theory, you could also take a run at Lundqvist (helps out NYR and gives CBJ a mentor for Elvis), but that's an idea for a much more hot take-y ACGM