COLUMBUS, Ohio — When Sergei Bobrovsky signed as a free agent with the Florida Panthers last summer, many believed he left the Blue Jackets without a No. 1 goaltender. In reality, Bobrovsky’s departure only created room for two of them to emerge.



Joonas Korpisalo was picked to play in the All-Star Game before suffering a knee injury, while Elvis Merzlikins — once freed to play — had a torrid stretch in December and January when he looked like a Vezina Trophy candidate.



Korpisalo, who played behind Bobrovsky for three-plus seasons, and Merzlikins, who stayed in Switzerland while he waited for Bobrovsky to move along, both turn 26 in April. They are coming into their prime years.



A larger body of work may be required to convince some, but the Blue Jackets believe they have two NHL starters on their roster, an enviable position no matter how you dissect it.



The assumption has been that the Blue Jackets will trade either...