Blue Jackets, goalie Jet Greaves agree to three-year deal
The Columbus Blue Jackets and goaltender Jet Greaves have reached a three-year, $15-million agreement, avoiding a scheduled arbitration hearing. The deal was announced on Thursday, shortly before the hearing was set to take place.
Earlier in the week, the Blue Jackets had proposed a salary of $2.8 million for Greaves for the 2026-27 season, while the 25-year-old netminder had filed for $7.5 million. This placed the two sides $4.7 million apart in their arbitration briefs filed on Tuesday. Had a long-term agreement not been reached, arbitrators would have been tasked with selecting between the two figures. However, according to one report, the arbitrator was not restricted to choosing between the two filed numbers and could have ruled at any salary.
Greaves’ Performance and Career Trajectory
Greaves is coming off a strong season with the Blue Jackets, where he posted a 26-19-9 record. His performance included two shutouts, a 2.60 goals-against average (GAA), and a .908 save percentage. This season marked a significant step forward for the four-year NHL veteran, as he took on starting duties for the first time in his career with Columbus.
His recent success also extends to international play. Greaves participated in the 2026 world championship with Team Canada, where he recorded a 6-2-0 record over eight games in Switzerland. During this tournament, he maintained a .920 save percentage and a 1.88 GAA.
Greaves initially established himself as an NHL goaltender late in the 2024-25 season, achieving a 7-2-2 record with a .938 save percentage and a 1.91 GAA. He built upon this strong showing in his first full season as an NHL player, leading to his recent contract agreement.
Undrafted at the beginning of his career, Greaves made his debut with the Blue Jackets during the 2022-23 season. His career record currently stands at 36-28-11, with a .913 save percentage and a 2.60 GAA.
Management’s Perspective and Team Goaltending
Don Waddell, president of hockey operations and general manager for Columbus, expressed satisfaction with the agreement. Waddell stated, "Jet is a high-character, talented and athletic goaltender who has become an important part of our hockey club." He further added that the team’s intention was always to secure a deal to ensure Greaves remained with the Blue Jackets, and they are pleased to have achieved that.
With Greaves now under contract, the Blue Jackets also have goaltenders Elvis Merzlikins and Pheonix Copley signed to deals. The team is also preparing for another arbitration hearing, with forward Cole Sillinger scheduled for next Monday, July 27.
The process of arbitration hearings has seen several players sign new deals before reaching the hearing stage. In 2025, every player who filed for arbitration ultimately reached a contract with their club. Notable players who signed new deals before their arbitration deadlines this year include Jamie Drysdale and Trevor Zegras of the Philadelphia Flyers, and Cole Perfetti of the Winnipeg Jets. The Nashville Predators were the most recent team to go through the full arbitration process in 2024, resulting in defenceman Spencer Stastney receiving a two-year, $1.65 million deal.
Beyond Sillinger, other players with scheduled hearings later this summer include Ronan Seeley of the Carolina Hurricanes, Alex Jefferies of the New York Islanders, and newly acquired Florida Panthers goaltender Akira Schmid.
Source: sportsnet.ca
