With plenty of questions already surrounding the backup goalie situation in Columbus, Elvis Merzlikins' injury answers some, but raises even more.
After experiencing discomfort during offseason training, Merzlikins underwent shoulder surgery, with no timetable for his return expected for at least a couple of weeks.
A shoulder surgery definitely isn't something that you can rush a player back from, especially not a goalie who relies on quick and accurate reflexes. At minimum, I would expect Elvis to miss a month or two before he is able to return.
Elvis might get replaced before he can return
While missing time already makes it difficult for him to have a productive season, it may force the Blue Jackets to bring on another goalie to fill in his spot, and that goalie may claim the backup job full-time depending on how things shake out.
While Pheonix Copley, who Columbus just acquired this past offseason, can be a capable backup for at least the time Elvis misses, it would make the Monsters' goalie tandem very thin and inexperienced, and leaves the NHL squad very vulnerable if another goalie needs to miss even a couple games.
With some respectable names still out there, I could see the Jackets bringing in another experienced goalie that would compete with Copley for the backup job in Columbus, while the other provides solid depth in Cleveland.
With all of this in mind, Merzlikins likely won't have much time to try to bounce back this season, and we may see him enter free agency as a low-value player who could struggle to find a team willing to give him a meaningful role.
With a sub-.900 save percentage in each of the last four seasons (and two below .885), the league's faith in Elvis has to be dwindling, and the Blue Jackets may have already been considering moving on.
While it hurts to say this about a player who has been an important and outspoken member of the organization, it's hard to imagine Elvis playing for the Blue Jackets beyond this season.
For now, the ball (or puck) is in Don Waddell's court (rink?), and the decision on whether or not to bring on another goaltender will be largely determined by the timetable for Elvis' injury. Until then, it's hard to say what the future holds for Elvis Merzlikins.
Add us as a preferred source on Google