Recently on an episode of Real Kyper and Bourne on Sportsnet, they had NHL analyst Steve Valiquette on the show, who specializes in goalies.
Valiquette spoke about NHL breakout candidates, and he couldn't help but mention Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Jet Greaves, who he believes is going to be a top breakout candidate in the 2025-26 season.
Valiquette said:
“I think that we've got a pretty undercover breakout guy this year, Jet Greaves, Columbus. And now he's the best performing goalie over the last three years in adjusted save percentage.”
He later explained more about what he likes about Greaves:
“And at any rate, when you adjust those numbers and you just put the scoring chances in, that's your adjusted save percentage. And Jet Greaves is number one over the last three years. And I fell into a lot of video for him. And that's one piece that I like about the analytics, is it just gets me to the video and I'm watching this guy. And this guy has had 56 East to West plays over the last three years. Okay, I'm going to double check the number, it was six goals against, only six."
Valiquette went on to talk about how Greaves, albeit small, has the pedigree and posture that makes it hard to score against him. He compared him to Calgary Flames goalie Dustin Wolf. They are similar in size and the same age, and while Wolf is considered to be better right now, Greaves has the high-end skill that makes him a good candidate for a breakout this season.
Last season, Greaves appeared in 11 games and had a 7-2-2 record with a .938 save percentage (SV%) and a 1.91 goals against average (GAA). In his career, he has played in 21 games and has a 10-9-2 record with a .924 SV% and a 2.62 GAA.
He has a chance to take over the starting role with the Blue Jackets this season and could help get the organization back in the playoffs for the first time since 2020.
