Contract:Signed through 2026-27 season (Four years remaining until UFA status)
It doesn't seem like it's been that long since Elvis Merzlikins made his way from Europe to the Blue Jackets, but it's been four seasons of ups and downs.
The Latvian goalie first arrived after six seasons with HC Lugano in Switzerland, working with the team during its playoff run in 2019. A season later, he made his debut, going through a tremendously difficult start (CBJ losses in his first 10 appearances) followed by an equally impressive rebound (five shutouts in eight games) as he announced himself on the scene.
That fairytale run, though, has given way to a dose of the hard reality of the NHL. As the Blue Jackets have turned to a younger defense as part of a roster reset, Merzlikins' numbers have dipped, with this past season the low point. Not only were his numbers career worsts, he finished last in the league in goals-against and save percentage among goalies with at least 30 appearances.
Add in a variety of injuries throughout the campaign and it was no fun for Merzlikins, who pledged at the end of the season that he'd be ready to turn things around this fall.
"I am the first one who is going to say I was awful," Merzlikins said. "I wasn't the best, but I am going to become the best and I am going to work my ass off stronger and harder than last summer. I have big plans, bigger than last year."
And with age comes wisdom. A few times a season ago, Merzlikins acknowledged he's not the fresh-faced goalie who came over from Europe just hoping to make his mark on the league. He now holds a five-year contract and the expectations that come with it, and his hope is to be ready this season to live up to them.
"Too many injuries, too many ups and downs," Merzlikins said. "Now I am 29. I am not a kid anymore. It's time to grow up, Elvis. It's time to step it up. I need to become a leader, but I am excited for this summer. I am going to torture myself. I am going to come back this training camp strong."
Top Moment of 2022-23
No goalie loves to go into a game cold, but that's what Merzlikins had to do in a Dec. 9 win over Calgary at Nationwide Arena. Joonas Korpisalo blanked the Flames through the first 20 minutes but had to leave because of injury, leaving Merzlikins to go in for the final two frames. He did the job, though, stopping 19 of 20 shots over the final 40 minutes to push the Jackets to a 3-1 victory in Johnny Gaudreau's first game against his former team.
One of the biggest issues for Merzlikins last year is the number 30 -- as in the number of games he played. For a No. 1 goalie, that simply isn't enough, as Merzlikins missed time with a variety of injuries a season ago. But if you're looking for encouraging numbers, how about these: 2.87 and .914. Those are the season goals-against average and save percentage numbers for Korpisalo last year between the Blue Jackets and Kings. The year prior, Korpisalo struggled through an injury-ravaged season and had a 4.15 GAA and .877 save percentage with the CBJ. The moral of the story? Goaltending stats can swing wildly from one year to the next, and Merzlikins hopes to post a similar rebound.
2023-24 Expectations
It goes without saying the Blue Jackets need a bounce-back season from Merzlikins to be a contending team. We aren't counting against said rebound, as Merzlikins still possesses the talent that allowed him to take the NHL by storm during his first two seasons. He needs a little luck and a little confidence, and the hope is an offseason away could be the kind of thing that serves as a mental reset. He'll go into the season as the Blue Jackets' No. 1 goalie, and it would go a long way for both the player and the team if he can right the ship this season.
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