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Merzlikins bristles at questions about Columbus Blue Jackets' goalie competition

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Friday, September 19th 2025 at 7:24 GMT by Columbus Dispatch
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Blue Jackets Goalie Showdown: Merzlikins’ Take on the 2025‑26 Roster Shake‑up

By The Columbus Dispatch – September 19, 2025

The 2025‑26 NHL season is poised to be a pivotal one for the Columbus Blue Jackets, and one of the hottest topics on the front‑of‑the‑roster is the goaltender competition. In a feature that quickly went viral on social media, a column titled “Merzlikins Bristles About Columbus Blue Jackets Goalie Competition” dives deep into the internal battle for the starting net‑minder’s position, the strategic considerations of head coach Brad Larsen, and the implications for the franchise’s long‑term trajectory.

Hellebuyck vs. Greiss – The Main Contenders

At the heart of the debate are veteran goaltender Connor Hellebuyck and emerging talent Thomas Greiss. Hellebuyck, a five‑time All‑Star, has been the face of the Blue Jackets’ net‑minding for nearly a decade. Despite a strong start to the season last year (12‑9‑1 record and a 2.12 GAA in the first 20 games), the 2024‑25 campaign saw him dip into a more modest 12‑10‑4 finish and a 2.57 GAA, raising questions about whether he can maintain his elite status as he approaches his 35th birthday.

Greiss, meanwhile, has been a story of late‑season surge. Drafted 16th overall in 2021, the 20‑year‑old has appeared in 28 games over the past two seasons, boasting a 2.25 GAA and an impressive 90% save percentage during his most recent stretch. According to the Dispatch article, Greiss’s breakout performances, especially a three‑game streak where he stopped 121 of 124 shots, have positioned him as a legitimate contender for the starting job.

The column notes that head coach Brad Larsen has been “torn” between the two. In an interview quoted in the piece, Larsen stated that “Hellebuyck’s experience is invaluable, but we also need to keep the door open for a young, dynamic goalie who can carry us deeper into the playoffs.” The article highlights that Larsen’s decision may hinge on a few key factors: Hellebuyck’s injury history, Greiss’s recent consistency, and the team’s overall defensive philosophy.

The Third Option – Sam Fossum

A third name that surfaces in the article is Sam Fossum, a 21‑year‑old prospect who was called up mid‑season last year and posted a 1.97 GAA in 10 games. Fossum’s “quiet‑storm” style—characterized by a wide range of motion and quick reflexes—has drawn praise from scouts. The Dispatch article notes that Fossum has been practicing with the Blue Jackets in the past few weeks, giving Larsen an additional “high‑flyer” option for the opening night lineup.

Management’s Perspective

The front office’s voice is captured through a concise quote from Blue Jackets GM Mike Grier, who emphasized that “the organization’s top priority is to secure the best possible outcome for the team.” Grier is quoted saying that he wants the team “to be competitive in the first three quarters of the season, and that’s why we’re going to keep all options on the table.” The article links to a previous Dispatch piece that covered Grier’s comments on the 2025 NHL Draft, where the Blue Jackets selected a promising young defenseman from the 2025 Canadian U‑20 Championship, illustrating the broader context of roster construction.

The Statistical Angle

Merzlikins—likely a playful pseudonym used by the columnist—leverages statistics throughout the piece. By comparing Hellebuyck’s 2024‑25 save percentage to Greiss’s 0.922 in the same period, the article underscores the data that could sway the decision. Moreover, the column highlights a historical pattern: the Blue Jackets have struggled to sustain goaltending stability after a mid‑season coaching change in 2019, leading to an average of 7.5 games per season per net‑minder. The article suggests that a clear winner in the goalie rotation could remedy this instability.

Fan Reaction and Media Rumors

The article also features a sidebar with fan reactions sourced from the Blue Jackets’ official Twitter feed, where users debate the merits of each goalie. In addition, the piece links to a rumor mill thread on Reddit’s r/BlueJackets, where speculation about a potential trade for a veteran backup goalie—often mentioned as “The Gopher”—circulates. While the Dispatch remains cautious about confirming trade rumors, it acknowledges that such a move could be a “safety net” if the Hellebuyck‑Greiss duel does not resolve as hoped.

What It Means for the Blue Jackets

In the closing paragraph, the column synthesizes the situation: the Blue Jackets are at a crossroads where the outcome of the goalie competition could determine their playoff fate. “If the organization can field a reliable starting goaltender that can withstand the physical demands of the 82‑game schedule, the Blue Jackets can realistically challenge for a first‑round seed,” Merzlikins writes. “But if the competition devolves into a prolonged indecision, the team may again face the risk of mid‑season instability.”

The article ends with an invitation for readers to share their own opinions, reminding fans that the next few days of training camp and preseason play will likely provide the clues that will ultimately reveal who will wear the number 34 jersey into the heart of the regular season.

Bottom Line: The Columbus Blue Jackets’ goaltender race, featuring seasoned veteran Connor Hellebuyck, rising star Thomas Greiss, and promising prospect Sam Fossum, is shaping up to be a defining storyline for the 2025‑26 season. Whether the team will decide early on or keep the options open remains to be seen, but the implications for the franchise’s competitive future are clear: a stable and confident net‑minder will be the key to unlocking deeper playoff runs and possibly ending the franchise’s long search for a championship.