Late last week the Jackets announced the signing of 2012 3rd round draft pick Joonas Korpisalo. This is a bit of a surprise as Korpisalo had a up and down season that included missing time with injury. This signing also got the little hamster wheel in my head spinning because the Jackets goalie depth will be an interesting development this summer. I say this because after the top cop in Columbus, the Jackets only have two goalies under contract for next season whose only experience on North American size rinks is in international competition. Those two are Anton Forsberg who could see a game in Springfield before the playoffs and the just signed Korpisalo. Columbus backup Curtis McElhinney and Springfield 20 game winner (so far) Mike McKenna are unrestricted free agents while Jeremy Smith is a restricted free agent.
I and others originally thought Smith would push McKenna and earn an extension to serve as a mentor to either Forsberg or Oscar Dansk who, as of this writing, is still unsigned. I was surprised that Korpisalo was signed before Dansk but Korpisalo’s season ended before Oscar’s. I don’t see McElhinney being brought back and that means the CBJ will be going after a backup either by trade or signing a UFA.
As for Springfield, possibly resigning McKenna or Smith and allowing Forsberg to serve as the backup or again bringing in a UFA are the options that lie ahead. Now what to do with Dansk (I’m fairly certain he’ll be signed) and Korpisalo. Both should be eligible to play in the CHL but they would take up a spot as both a European and an overager and teams may not like one player using two spots. I asked Erie beat writer Victor Fernandes about this situation awhile back and he told me he wouldn’t be surprised if Oscar was traded. The Jackets could loan Korpisalo to a European team like we did with Forsberg but Joonas’ last European deal ran out this past season and I don’t think he can sign one if signed to a NHL deal. I asked Finnish writer Juha Hiitela about this and he says yes, the CBJ could loan him to Europe; but, with no European deal the CBJ wouldn’t loan him to be a backup somewhere.
I haven’t said much about Joonas to the CHL because he’s never played there and according to WHL writer Kelly Friesen, when asked him about the goalie situation for the team that owns his rights, he said that the Prince George Cougars have their goalie for next season. That’s not ideal, because as I’ve said numerous times, I want our goalie prospects playing as much as possible. The only other option – one that’s not high on my list for Joonas- is to send him to Evansville or whoever our ECHL affiliate is (basing this on Dansk going back to the OHL) and tell him “this is your team.” If that happens, I certainly don’t want to see the Jackets “Allen York” him by yoyoing him from the AHL to the ECHL. Instead, say this is your spot and the only reason you’ll see Springfield, Massachusetts is if there’s an injury.
Now you may be asking “what about Martin Ouellette?” Well no offense to Martin, he had a fine senior season, but he was passed over as soon as Oscar and Joonas were drafted.
These is just my thoughts on what could be an interesting offseason for the CBJ goalie depth. Sound off in the comments about what you think might happen in net up and down the Jackets organization this summer.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
