Welcome to another edition of Columbus Blue Jackets' Biggest Trade Chips. In the first two editions, we looked at Yegor Chinakhov and Dmitri Voronkov, and now we are going to look at goaltender Elvis Merzlikins, who very well could be their last big trade target on the roster. While it would be hard to move his contract, he has shown that he can be a very good goalie. However, it seems that his time is quickly running out with the Blue Jackets. With the emergence of Jet Greaves as the future starter for the organization, it could be wise for general manager Don Waddell to move on from Merzlikins. Merzlikins, 31, had a fairly good season last year. He had a 26-21-5 record with a 3.18 goals against average (GAA) and a .892 save percentage (SV%). Over his six-year career, he has a 94-100-35 record in 244 games played, as well as a .902 SV% and a 3.20 GAA. He currently is signed for two seasons and carries an average annual value (AAV) of $5.4 million, which is an affordable contract for a team that is looking for a goalie. However, there are some teams, like the Edmonton Oilers, that are searching for a goalie and could have to pay a bit more so that the Blue Jackets retain some of his AAV. If the Blue Jackets can add a reliable backup goalie to help Greaves, we could see Merzlikins traded this season. On This Date In 2020: Joonas Korpisalo Makes History [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/a5350ab3-8508-4ee7-a8b5-aa15897b64e5.webp] On This Date In 2020: Joonas Korpisalo Makes History On August 11, 2020 the Columbus Blue Jackets and Tampa Bay Lightning started their first round series of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Fans of the CBJ were hoping that the Jackets could pull off another huge upset against the Lightning. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets/latest-news/on-this-date-in-2020-joonas-korpisalo-makes-history] From The Archive: Blood Brothers [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/8cd5e226-9a48-4e2f-a128-efd1b80a8d1e.jpeg] From The Archive: Blood Brothers The Hockey News has released its archive to all THN subscribers: 76 years of history, stories, and features. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets/latest-news/from-the-archive-blood-brothers] An Early Look At The Blue Jackets' 2025-26 Projected Opening Night Roster [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/53e29a79-c70d-4f31-855e-e34c3698f408.jpeg] An Early Look At The Blue Jackets' 2025-26 Projected Opening Night Roster We've officially entered the last month of the calendar that doesn't have NHL games in it. We are only a bit over a month away from the start of 2025 NHL training camp and then preseason. Because of that, I thought it would be fun to take an early look at what the Columbus Blue Jackets' projected opening night lineup could look like. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets/latest-news/an-early-look-at-the-blue-jackets-2025-26-projected-opening-night-roster] An Early Look At The Blue Jackets' 2025-26 Projected Opening Night Roster [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/53e29a79-c70d-4f31-855e-e34c3698f408.jpeg] An Early Look At The Blue Jackets' 2025-26 Projected Opening Night Roster We've officially entered the last month of the calendar that doesn't have NHL games in it. We are only a bit over a month away from the start of 2025 NHL training camp and then preseason. Because of that, I thought it would be fun to take an early look at what the Columbus Blue Jackets' projected opening night lineup could look like. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets/latest-news/an-early-look-at-the-blue-jackets-2025-26-projected-opening-night-roster]
