Insider: Blue Jackets Goalie Becoming Trade Candidate

There are still a number of teams scouring the trade wire for a goaltender. NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman says that the market is indeed heating up, noting that teams like the Edmonton Oilers, and now Carolina Hurricanes are looking, in addition to the LA Kings, who appear to be losing backup Pheonix Copley for a while. 

Friedman believes we’ll start hearing a certain Columbus Blue Jackets netminder on the rumor mill, noting that "they have an extra goalie now, and (Spencer) Martin has played very well."

Daniil Tarasov is finally healthy again for Columbus, and though his NHL season debut Saturday night wasn't sparkling, surrendering 5 goals in a 6-3 loss to the New Jersey Devils, his return is welcomed. He looked very strong in his four rehab games in the AHL, posting a 2.57 goals against and a .915 save percentage. 

With three goalies on hand now, that means that Martin could be available, according to Friedman. The 28-year-old has posted a 3.57 GAA thus far in nine starts, with an .892 Sv%. His last start, 10 days ago, was a dud, giving up 7 goals in a 7-3 loss to the New York Islanders, but his two games before that one featured two strong outings against the Boston Bruins. 

Last season, with the Vancouver Canucks, Martin went 11-15-1 with a 3.99 GAA and an .871 Sv%. 

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