By Jordan Long
The Columbus Blue Jackets start their season on October 14th when they face the Arizona Coyotes. They finished last year at 18-26-12 for 48 points, last in the Central Division. Columbus is looking to make the playoffs after missing it last year. They have decided to sign goaltender Elvis Merzlikins to a 5-year contract.
Merzlikins has been with the Blue Jackets for the last two years. He posted a record of 21-21-13 in 54 career starts with Columbus. Last season, he finished the year with a record of 8-12-5 with a goals against average of 2.77 and a save percentage of .916.
Even though his record wasn’t great, the team didn’t play well in front of him. Columbus gave up too many odd-man rushes or rebound chances. Merzlikins did his best to try and stop the puck. Even when he did, his team never was able to take the lead for long. The opposing team kept attacking his net. His defense let him out to dry on rebounds which increased the deficit or retake the lead.
The Blue Jackets agreed the problems with the team weren’t on him. They know for them to be successful beyond this season, Merzlikins is the key in net. He was in the last year of his current deal with a cap hit of $4 million. The Jackets could have let him test free agency. In the end, the Jackets didn’t want to let him do that, agreeing to the 5 year, $27 million contract.
According to ESPN.com, Merzlikins said on his Instagram ,”Now I can finally call Columbus my home! Couldn’t be happier to stay here!!!”
Merzlikins is expected to compete for the #1 goaltender spot against Joonas Korpisalo. Korpisalo is in the final year of his agreement. His future is in doubt with Merzlikins’ extension. Korpisalo was 9-13-7 last season with a goals against of 3.30 with a save percentage of .894. Preseason should determine who earns the starting goaltender role. In the end Columbus is hoping Merzlikins can improve at the NHL level with helping them win the ultimate goal, the Stanley Cup.
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