The Blue Jackets’ future in net is still tied to Sergei Ivanov, even if his KHL numbers have dipped a bit to start the season.
While Cam Talbot has opened the year strong for Columbus, it’s tough to treat that as anything more than a hot streak. At 39 years old, he likely doesn’t have much gas left in the tank. The good news for the Blue Jackets is that Ivanov, their heir apparent, is already signed for next season.
Ivanov was taken by Columbus in the fifth round of the 2022 NHL Draft, 138th overall, and like many Russian prospects, the Blue Jackets have let him develop in the KHL. He has spent most of the last three seasons there, and this year he is on loan with SKA St Petersburg for the second straight season.
So far, the results are a step back from last year. Ivanov has a .912 save percentage, a 2.84 goals-against average and one shutout, with a 5-5-0 record. That’s down from the .928 save percentage, 2.50 GAA, three shutouts and 13-11-2 record he posted with the same team last season.
Even with the dip, there doesn’t seem to be much alarm around his development. The bigger question is simply when he’ll arrive in North America and get a real look.
Sergei is coming over in the spring.
Once his KHL season ends, Ivanov will join the Blue Jackets organization. He’ll be 23 when that happens, and there’s a chance he could begin with the Cleveland Monsters right away if they’re still playing.
Because of his age and experience, he should be fairly close to NHL ready, though there will still be an adjustment to the North American game. The expectation is that he could be lined up as Jet Greaves’ backup next season, even if that plan could still change over the next 10 months.
At 6-foot-0, Ivanov profiles as a goaltender who leans on athleticism and quick reflexes. When he’s confident, he plays big in the crease, pushing off and cutting down angles on shooters. The Blue Jackets clearly think highly of him, too - he was ranked as the organization’s No. 3 prospect over the summer.
The one obvious concern is size, since Columbus could end up with two undersized goalies in the NHL. For now, though, the organization appears willing to go that route until some of its taller prospects are ready.
For the moment, the focus is on whether Ivanov can raise his numbers a bit as the season goes on. He’s playing behind a middle-of-the-pack team, which should give him plenty of chances to make saves. That’s not a bad way to get ready for what could be waiting in Columbus next season.
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