Blue Jackets goalie Elvis Merzlikins hasn't played since Dec. 29 and hasn't dressed since Jan. 2. He's in the second year of a five-year, $5.4M AAV contract. It is not normal for a goalie to make that much money and simply not play or even dress. This season, he's posted a 7-8-6 record along with a 3.25 GAA and .907SV%, which is a massive improvement over last year's 4.23 GAA and .876SV%.
So, what's going on?
Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman discussed the situation on 32 Thoughts: The Podcast.
32 Thoughts news, information & interview podcast. Guest: Lewis Gross, who represents William Nylander, Shane Pinto & Jeremy Swayman (among others). Good answers to terrible questions. Links to your preferred platform: https://t.co/io7Mr1RceU
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) January 12, 2024
Friedman said there was a rumor going around that the Blue Jackets had made Merzlikins their No. 3 goalie, behind Daniil Tarasov and Spencer Martin, but that the team disputed the rumor. He also gave his opinion on the situation.
“I wondered if this is a situation where they’re either preparing to trade him or they’re considering buying him out at the end of the season," Friedman said. "Let me stress, this is purely my opinion.”
"When you look at something like this," Friedman added. "It's hard not to draw those kinds of conclusions. Because at worst, you could have him as the backup."
#CBJ head coach Pascal Vincent when asked why Elvis Merzlikins has not played since Dec. 29: We are looking to evaluate Daniil (Tarasov). I know it's a big question, but Daniil hasn't played in quite some time. We want to see what he's got. We want to evaluate him. We believe he
— Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) January 11, 2024
“It definitely appears that it might just be time for the Blue Jackets and Elvis," Friedman said. "That maybe we get to a point here where everybody starts to look for an alternate home for Elvis.”
Friedman also spoke about the interest that other teams have in Merzlikins.
“I do think some of the teams who have looked at goalies this year have talked to Columbus about Merzlikins," Friedman said. "But the salary is a difficult one to fit. I’m not surprised that nothing [has happened] yet, but it seems like this is where this is headed.”
The Blue Jackets are back in action on Saturday as they host the Seattle Kraken at 7 p.m. ET.
