Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzļikins told the media after Monday’s game that he has requested a trade away from the team. Monday marks the first game that Merzļikins has played since December 29th – spending the last six games as either a backup or healthy scratch. He made 21 saves en route to a 4-3 shootout victory.
Merzļikins has become the third goaltender on Columbus’ depth chart, with Daniil Tarasov and Spencer Martin both receiving starts over Merzļikins. The Blue Jackets haven’t proven any more successful with the goalie changes, going 1-3-2 in the games Merzļikins sat out. It’s led Columbus to a dismal 13-21-9 start to the season, a record that ranks them 28th in the NHL.
This trade request could mark the end of what has been a heartwarming story for Merzļikins in Columbus. The 29-year-old became just the third Latvian goaltender to be drafted into the NHL when the Blue Jackets took him in the third round of the 2014 NHL Draft – the same round that saw Warren Foegele, Ilya Sorokin, and Brayden Point be selected. Of the two Latvians to be selected before Merzļikins, only one had played significant NHL time: 568-game veteran Artūrs Irbe. Merzļikins, who has played in 173 games since his NHL debut in 2019-20, now ranks second in games played among Latvian netminders behind only Irbe – surpassing undrafted netminder Pēteris Skudra, the only other to play in more than 100 games.
Columbus has allowed more goals than any team other than the San Jose Sharks this season – but despite it, Merzļikins has still found a way to have a productive year, setting an 8-8-6 record and .906 save percentage through 24 games. He’s back to maintaining a save percentage over .900, a feat he managed in each of his first three seasons but lost with a .876 save percentage in 30 games last year. Merzļikins’ rebound back to form sets him up to be an attractive trade option for teams in need of goaltending help but without the assets to acquire a top name like John Gibson or Jacob Markstrom. But any recipient would need to have cap space, as Merzlikins carries a $5.4MM cap hit over the next four seasons, making him the 11th-most expensive goaltender in the league. There’s also the question of what Columbus would want in return for a goaltender who has become the fifth-most frequent in club history. Regardless, this move brings an exciting spark to the looming March 8th Trade Deadline.
Elvis is a hothead, Torts(!) had to talk him down when he first came over to the US. All you really have to do is pester him enough to distract him. I think this is a known strategy in the league, several teams seem to do this.
If I were a Blue Jackets fan I’d be requesting a new coach, This team is young and really talented. Kekalainen once again dropped the ball in his head coaching choice.
Looks like you dropped the ball on your fingers while trying to type this comment lol ;)
imagine angering your franchise goalie because you are playing Spencer Freakin’ Martin.
I agree this team needs a more experienced coach.
Like Babcock?
The heartwarming story is that he’s Latvian?
The only reason “writers” devote any time to him is because his name is Elvis. If he was a Todd or Dave, not one sentence would be devoted to him, because he sucks.
you’re right – no one cares about Todds or Daves. Live with it.
Screw you buddy.
He’s their best goalie why are they benching him?
Good luck moving that salary, CBJ!
Not to be overlooked, but Elvis has been through some pretty tragic events in his life. Arguably a change of scenery candidate the past three seasons. Maybe it would be best for both sides.
Elvis to Buffalo and Levi to Roch?
What does this mean?
“There’s also the question of what Columbus would want in return for a goaltender who has become the fifth-most frequent in club history.”
Fifth most what?
Fifth-most games played in club history! Or he’s the fifth-most frequently-used netminder that CBJ has had. Poor wording on my end!
Elvis & a 2nd to the Ducks for Gibson.
Bring back the ‘tenders that sounded like mental patients.