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Columbus Blue Jackets Sign Elvis Merzlikins

April 23, 2020 at 3:03 pm CDT | by Gavin Lee 11 Comments

Just that quickly, the Columbus Blue Jackets have their goaltending tandem locked up. After extending Joonas Korpisalo last week it was Elvis Merzlikins’ turn today. The Blue Jackets have announced a two-year extension for Merzlikins. Columbus GM Jarmo Kekalainen gave an explanation:

We’ve believed for several years that Elvis Merzlikins was the best goaltender outside the NHL while he was playing in Switzerland and this year he has shown that he has the ability and drive to be a very good goaltender in this league. He is quick, athletic and driven to succeed and we are excited to see what the future holds for Elvis and our hockey club.

Aaron Portzline of The Athletic reports that the deal will pay Merzlikins $3MM in 2020-21 and $5MM in 2021-22 ($4MM AAV). He will be an unrestricted free agent at its conclusion.

The Blue Jackets have now locked up their future in net, for at least the next two seasons, at a reasonable $6.8MM total. That’s still considerably less than the amount former Columbus goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky landed in free agency and with the way Merzlikins and Korpisalo performed it looks like the team may have dodged a bullet.

It’s hard to explain just how successful the 26-year old Merzlikins was in his first year with the Blue Jackets. After starring in Switzerland for several seasons he came over and almost immediately became one of the best goaltenders in the league, recording a .923 save percentage in 33 appearances, including five shutouts.

Even though Merzlikins is making more than Korpisalo, there’s no guarantee that he gets the majority of starts next season. Kekalainen told reporters that the decision will be up to the coach, meaning John Tortorella has the final say on which netminder backstops his club next year.

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Columbus Blue Jackets| Newsstand Elvis Merzlikins

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View Comments (11)

Comments

  1. Ol' Voodoo

    5 years ago

    One of the better named tandems in history. Glad they both found some success last year.

    Reply
    • Sillysundin

      5 years ago

      In Columbus history I guess

      Reply
    • Ol' Voodoo

      5 years ago

      Not too many Elvis’ and Joonas’ where I grew up.

      Reply
    • Sillysundin

      5 years ago

      Lol sorry you said “ named “

      Reply
    • thatsdoctorsmartasstoyou

      5 years ago

      Lol no problem just read better

      Reply
  2. vegasloveforthebills

    5 years ago

    Going to be interesting at the expansion draft for Columbus again.

    Reply
    • DarkSide830

      5 years ago

      these poor guys cant ever catch a break

      Reply
    • MoneyBallJustWorks

      5 years ago

      the contract is actually set up perfectly for the expansion draft. if you keep Joonas, they expose Elvis with $5 million left on a one year deal and he becomes a UFA after.

      1
      Reply
  3. ColossusOfClout

    5 years ago

    3M + 5M is 6.8M? Huh?

    Reply
    • SuperSinker

      5 years ago

      Keep trying, you’ll figure it out

      Reply
    • Modified_6

      5 years ago

      I’m not so sure he’s going to.

      Reply

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