"I'm disappointed in my season," Korpisalo said. "I don't think it was where it should be. I felt good, but there were times I didn't make that big save and keep the team in play. It was kind of like a roller-coaster season -- good games and games where it didn't pan out that well. Yeah, I'm not happy so I'm going to have the best summer and get back better than ever."
Merzlikins, meanwhile, also didn't quite match his numbers from a year ago and also fought injuries, but he continued to show his high ceiling and athletic game that can allow him to steal games. The Latvian finished fifth in the Vezina and Calder trophy voting last year when he went 13-9-8/2.35/.923 with five shutouts in eight games at one point. This year, Merzlikins was 8-12-5 with a 2.77 GAA and .916 save percentage to go with a pair of shutouts.
"I am pretty hard on myself and I don't like the numbers," he said. "I just look at my numbers and they are not that bad, but they are not even as good as I want them. I want it better. Obviously my goal is to have lower numbers than the year before, but I am not finding excuses. ... I am going to say it was an OK season. Last year, it was a great season. This year, it was an OK season, close to a good season."
Perhaps those responses are also what makes it so difficult for CBJ brass to make a decision between the two. Both netminders are wired to be the best they can be, and while they sound the same when it comes to discussing the past season, they also feel the same way about being with the Blue Jackets.
"I've been here six years and love every season, love the town, everything here," Korpisalo said. "I just love being here. Obviously I want to be here, 100 percent."
"I like Columbus and I like the city and I like the fans," Merzlikins said. "But again, it is not up to me to make the decision. I am just the guy who is catching the pucks and get paid for that."