Union and Blue
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Columbus Blue Jackets: Top 5 Performing Prospects

By Lansing Murphy

BRIDGEPORT, CT - MARCH 24: Notre Dame Fighting Irish defenseman Andrew Peeke (22) during a NCAA hockey game between Providence Friars and Notre Dame Fighting Irish on March 24, 2018, at Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, CT. Notre Dame won 2-1 and moves on to the Frozen Four. (Photo by M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
BRIDGEPORT, CT - MARCH 24: Notre Dame Fighting Irish defenseman Andrew Peeke (22) during a NCAA hockey game between Providence Friars and Notre Dame Fighting Irish on March 24, 2018, at Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, CT. Notre Dame won 2-1 and moves on to the Frozen Four. (Photo by M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Columbus Blue Jackets
HERNING, DENMARK – MAY 15: Elvis Merzlikins #30, goaltender of Latvia celebrates after the 2018 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Group B game between Latvia and Denmark at Jyske Bank Boxen on May 15, 2018 in Herning, Denmark. (Photo by Martin Rose/Getty Images) /

#5: G Elvis Merzlikins,

  • Drafted: 2014 3rd Round #76 Overall
  • Born: 4-13-1994 Riga, Latvia. 24-years-old
  • Team: HC Lugano, NLA, Top Swiss League

Columbus Blue Jackets fans have heard this guys name plenty with the uncertain future of long time netminder Sergei Bobrovsky. Elvis Merzlikins has picked up right where he left off after a record setting 2017-2018 campaign.

Through 12 starts, Elvis has a .932 save percentage for HC Lugano. Thats good for third best in the NLA. His 2.27 goals against average have him fourth in the league. The Latvian had one of the most impressive 17-18 seasons for a goalie anywhere in the world and this season he is building on that.

The Jackets top two netminders are both on expiring contracts and in the case of Sergei, the chances for return are not high at the moment. Joonas Korpisalo is getting plenty of opportunities in net with the Jackets this year but, although he is winning, he isn’t inspiring a ton of confidence going forward with his .897 save percentage and 3.47 goals against average.

There is a clear opportunity for Merzlikins in the organization in the near future. His contract with HC Lugano expiries at the end of this year and he is expected to make his move to North America to start the 2019 season with the Columbus Blue Jackets or the Cleveland Monsters.

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