A move that Blue Jackets fans have thought about for years may be coming to fruition this offseason. The team is reportedly exploring an Elvis Merzlikins trade. David Pagnotta mentioned that Columbus may open up talks on the Latvian goaltender soon.
David Pagnotta: Re Blue Jackets: There's some talk they're gonna start exploring [moving] Elvis Merzlikins again - Leafs Morning Take (6/11)
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) June 13, 2026
Of course, nothing is official yet, and it wouldn't be the first time we have heard a similar rumor, but with only one year left on his contract, trading Elvis might not take much on the Blue Jackets' end if they do want to shed his contract.
Why trading Elvis makes sense this year
A team that is frequently linked to Merzlikins is the Edmonton Oilers, whose goaltending struggles have continued even after swapping netminders with the Pittsburgh Penguins when Stuart Skinner and Tristan Jarry went opposite ways.
Columbus would still likely have to retain some of Merzlikins' $5.4 million salary or add in a late-round pick to get a deal done, but that extra room under the salary cap could end up being crucial for the Blue Jackets.
That extra money could be put toward a variety of players, whether it's a big name that the team acquires in a trade, pending UFAs like Boone Jenner and Mason Marchment, or RFAs like Adam Fantilli, Cole Sillinger, and fellow goalie Jet Greaves.
However, with no goalie on the Monsters looking ready to step into an NHL role (even as a backup), I have to wonder if Don Waddell would only make this move if he can sign Sergei Ivanov to his entry-level contract to bring him straight into the backup role behind Jet Greaves.
Between clearing extra cap room and potentially opening up a spot for one of the most long-awaited prospects in the Blue Jackets system, trading the 32-year-old is a serious possibility this year. With just one year left on his contract, it is an easier move to make.
It would be a tough way to end Merzly's time in Columbus though, as he played in his seventh season with the team last year and he brought a fun and exciting personality during some of the most difficult years to be a Blue Jackets fan, even if his on-ice performance hasn't been up to par over the last few seasons.
But Columbus fans have made it clear: the team needs to start winning now. The Blue Jackets need to take the next step toward contention, even if it means shipping out one of the most beloved players of the past few years.
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