Elvis Merzļikins Accused Of Having A "Bad Reputation" With NHL Officials

Today on Elliotte Friedman's 32 Thoughts podcast, he made some interesting comments about Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Elvis Merzļikins.

He claimed that Merzļikins has a "Bad Reputation" with NHL officials and teams around the league. 

Over this past weekend, Merzļikins was called for tripping in what, at the time, was a controversial call. Friedman said it was the "significance" of the call and not the call itself. He also says it was the "right" call based on Merzļikins history. 

Friedman also stated that videos have been circulating around the league about Merzļikins and that he embellishes contact. Friedman said Merzļikins took advantage of Kyle Palmieri of the New York Islanders and also brought up the no-call on Kiefer Sherwood. He says Sherwood didn't go into the crease and that Merzļikins locked up skates with him and initiated the contact. 

Friedman says that Merzļikins has a reputation for selling contact and will get those calls going forward. 

He goes on to say that the official might have seen a clip of Merzļikins in the past and made the call to send a message of sorts, and that "he's a guy being looked at." 

Is Friedman onto something? Is Merzļikins on a watchlist for goalie contact? 

You can listen to the CBJ conversation from 32 Thoughts here. 

Up Next: The Ottawa Senators visit NWA on Tuesday. 

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