As the players begin to return to Columbus and work out ahead of the upcoming NHL season, there are bound to be some bumps and bruises. Much to our disappointment, that has already started, with the Blue Jackets announcing that goaltender Elvis Merzlikins will be out indefinitely.
Merzlikins underwent shoulder surgery on Monday, after notifying the team about some discomfort. An MRI showed that there was in fact damage to the shoulder, requiring him to have it repaired. Per the team, he will be re-evaluated in a few weeks' time.
"Elvis informed us a few weeks ago that he was experiencing some discomfort in his shoulder during his offseason workouts. Following an MRI, it was determined that surgery was the best course of action. He’ll be evaluated again in a few weeks at which time we’ll have a clearer idea on when he will be back on the ice."Don Waddell
It's yet another gut punch for the veteran netminder, in a long line of many. The road through the NHL has not been kind to Merzlikins, and you cannot help but feel sorry for him.
He's entering a contract year, and with a more defensive-minded coaching staff; had begun to find his way near the end of last season. That is, until the team collapsed in front of him. We were all rooting for a bounce-back season from Elvis, for a variety of reasons.
Hopefully he can make a full and speedy recovery, and will get a chance to parley that into another NHL contract next year. At the very least, he has earned that.
Suddenly, the Blue Jackets goaltending situation looks really thin.
With Merzlikins out for the foreseeable future, the Blue Jackets may need to find another goalie. Of course, that depends on how long #90 may be sidelined. For however long he's out though, things look murky.
Jet Greaves got a massive pay raise this summer, and will certainly get the lion's share of the starting goaltender duties. That was most likely going to be the case, even with a healthy Merzlikins. But, with a now-84 game schedule, having a capable backup is vital.
The Jackets will look to Pheonix Copley to serve in that role for the time being. He's a serviceable veteran that should be able to help stem the tide. Still, there is concern here: what if another injury occurs?
Behind Greaves and Copley, there is a steep and significant drop off to the next guys in line. Nolan Lalonde and Evan Gardner are the two goaltenders slated to play in Cleveland this year, and I'm not sure it would be reasonable to ask either of them to play meaningful minutes in the NHL this year.
Gardner is going to be a first year pro, while Lalonde is only a second year pro who spent most of his first year in the ECHL. I think these two will make a pretty capable tandem for the Monsters, but throwing them to the wolves with the Jackets seems ill advised.
So, I wouldn't be surprised to see Don Waddell go bargain shopping for another goaltender this fall, not unlike the team did with Ivan Fedotov last year. We'll keep our ears to the ground.
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