Would the Blue Jackets benefit more from an Elvis Merzlikins buyout, or a trade?
One of the biggest pieces of business for the Columbus Blue Jackets this summer: what to do with Elvis Merzlikins. If they do decide to move on, what makes the most sense?
By Curtis Deem
I would be lying if I said the Blue Jackets have not come to a crossroads with their #1 goaltender. The fact of the matter is, things just are not working out in Columbus with Elvis Merzlikins.
The bad news here is, he's signed for three more seasons at a cap hit of $5.4 million dollars. He's the 11th highest paid goaltender in the NHL, if we're counting inactive Montreal goaltender Carey Price.
His contract would be fine if he were posting the same .916% save percentage he had when he put pen to paper. In fact, he would be quite the bargain at that rate. The Jackets would also have a few more wins in their pockets.
Since signing that 5-year extension in September of 2021 however, his save percentages for the next three seasons are: .907% (still fine here), .876%, and .897%.
He has struggled to find consistency, whether it's from injuries or other factors. So, what should they do?