Elvis Merzlikins landing spots: 3 teams that could make a move for Blue Jackets goalie ahead of NHL trade deadline

By Ryan Gagne

Modified Jan 12, 2024 22:50 GMT

Elvis Merzlikins is a 29-year-old goalie with the Columbus Blue Jackets who has played in 173 games in the NHL, compiling a 62-70-28 record, with a career 3.15 goals against average (GAA) and .906 save percentage (SV%).

Merzlikins is making $5.4 million annually and has a modified no-trade clause in his contract, with four seasons remaining on the pact he signed in 2021. However, the Blue Jackets remain a bottom-ranked team, meaning his name has popped up in the rumor mill as a potential trade target.

Considering the number of significant goalie injuries across the NHL, having a healthy netminder whose season includes a 7-8-6 record with a 3.25 GAA and .907 save percentage is something many hopeful playoff teams would be interested in acquiring.

---

Top 3 NHL teams that could pursue goalie Elvis Merzlikins

#3. Edmonton Oilers

Many NHL experts picked the Edmonton Oilers as the Stanley Cup champions this season. However, an abysmal start derailed the first half of their season, resulting in a coaching change and netminder Jack Campbell finding employment in the minor leagues.

Elvis Merzlikins, Columbus Blue Jackets

Ultimately, the workload has fallen squarely on Stuart Skinner, a finalist for the Calder Trophy last season. Despite being unproven as a proper number-one goalie, he's carried the Oilers back into the playoff picture with a 17-9-1 with 2.69 GAA and .901 SV%.

Although Merzlikins is not a bona fide number-one goalie who would replace Skinner, he would serve as a great partner and help ease some of the burden currently on the 25-year-old's shoulders.

#2. New Jersey Devils

Just like the Oilers, the New Jersey Devils faced some lofty expectations heading into the 2023-24 season and have failed to live up to them at the midway point. They are now stuck in an intense Eastern Conference wildcard race, with a 21-15-2 record, while Vitek Vanecek and Akira Schmid share the crease.

They have combined for a 19-14-3 record, including a .887 SV% and 3.28. Despite the rumors circulating that the Devils are interested in acquiring John Gibson, who has a 7-17-0 record and 3.10 GAA and.900 SV%, Merzlikins could be a fallback option for the team since he's got better numbers than both their current netminders.

#1. Carolina Hurricanes

The Carolina Hurricanes have been picked by many to win the Eastern Conference and play for the Stanley Cup. However, the team lost starting goalie Frederik Andersen in November for what could be the remainder of the season, and his replacement, Pyotr Kochetkov, just went down with an upper-body injury.

Pyotr Kochetkov just went down with an upper-body injury.

After recently waiving Antti Raanta last month, the Hurricanes are now asking him to save their season while they sort out their goaltender situation. As another powerhouse team on the cusp of postseason success, they need a young goalie like Merzlikins to come and keep everything under control or risk failing in their quest for another season.