Blue Jackets reassign goalie Daniil Tarasov

The Columbus Blue Jackets returned netminder Daniil Tarasov to the AHL’s Cleveland Monsters, according to an announcement from the team.

The transaction indicates that starting netminder Elvis Merzlikins is likely ready to return to the team. Merzlikins has been away from the team for two weeks on personal leave, returning home to Latvia to be with his grandmother as she deals with an illness.

Tarasov’s most recent stint with the big club didn’t go particularly well. The 23-year-old netminder did register two wins in four appearances but posted just a .840 save percentage. It hasn’t been a great showing for Tarasov in the NHL overall this season, as he has a 4-11-1 record, a .892 save percentage and a 3.91 goals-against average on the year. The numbers are a step back from the strong showing he had in three starts last year, posting a .937 save percentage.

His AHL numbers have been equally concerning. In nine games with Cleveland, his action limited in part due to preseason injuries and multiple recalls to Columbus, he has a .871 save percentage and 4.07 goals-against average.

Goaltenders do take longer to develop, and there’s still plenty of time left on the track for Tarasov, who was drafted in the third round of the 2017 NHL Draft. Still, the team undoubtedly hopes for a strong showing down the stretch in Cleveland from the young netminder.