The Jackets are in no rush in regards to free agency
The Blue Jackets don't have a ton of money to work with, and they do need to add a piece or two, but it's no surprise that they've been quiet the first two days of free agency.
The first two days of free agency saw the CBJ make two moves. The signing of Adam Fantilli and announcing the hiring of head coach Mike Babcock. Of course fans wanted more, but any free agent signing would most likely mean another move would need to be made to accommodate that signing.
What the Jackets need is depth goaltending, meaning someone to back-up Jet Greaves in Cleveland. Or if they were able to land a veteran NHL goalie who would be willing to sign a two-way deal? That goalie could start in Cleveland, and could be called-up to Columbus should anything happen to Merzlikins or Tarasov.
Fourteen different goalies signed contracts the first two days of free agency. Of the notable goalies available, Martin Jones is the youngest, at 33. Jones has 225 wins in his NHL career. Last season in Seattle he played in 48 games, posting a record of 27-13-3 with a GAA of 2.99 and a save % of .887. It's a shocker he wasn't signed on day one. Would he be willing to play in the AHL after the year he just had?
Thomas Greiss, Brian Elliott, Jaroslav Halak and Jonathan Bernier are unsigned, and I highly doubt they would take an AHL role. The CBJ could always bring back a few old friends who have played goal for them in the past. Jean-Francois Berube, who last played with the CBJ in 2021-22 is an option. He's 31 years old and has been a career back-up. He's also played in the AHL for every team he's played for. Two more goalies, Michael Hutchinson and Jon Gillies, who were both picked up at the trade deadline last season could also be an option.
There are approximately 30 UFA goalies left on the market, with 15 of those being over the age of 30. If GM Jarmo Kekalainen wants to find goalie depth, it's out there. Would he want a younger one to back-up Jet Greaves, or one that Greaves could back up?
In an ideal world, Elvis Merzlikins and Daniil Tarasov are going to be healthy all year and the Jackets won't need to worry about this subject, but everyone knows things happen. Kekalainen has plenty of options for the goaltending position. Will he sign one? Will he trade for one?
Kekalainen has indicated he's in no rush to sign a goalie. He has around three months to make this decision, so we wait.