Merzlikins needs new situation, 'will not be reinforcement' for Blue Coats

Goalie scratched multiple times since Dec. 29, hasn't requested exchange

January 12, 2024

COLUMBUS - - Elvis Merzlikins has not requested an exchange from the Columbus Blue Coats, yet the goalie said Friday he and the group have concurred that "another situation" is required.

Merzlikins has not played since Dec. 29, when he left a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs after the main period due to a disease. He has been a sound scratch the beyond three games and four of the beyond five behind Daniil Tarasov and Spencer Martin.

He said he has not requested an exchange.

"I basically should be treated as No. 1. I acknowledge that I am No. 1," Merzlikins said. "It didn't arrive at that place that I'm referencing (a trade). It went to the point that the different sides agreed."

The 29-year-old started the season as the starter with Martin the reinforcement while Tarasov was out with a back physical issue. Merzlikins, whose five-year, $27 million agreement ($5.4 million yearly normal worth) goes through the 2026-27 season, is 7-8-6 with a 3.25 objectives against normal and .907 save rate in 23 games this season. He was 7-18-2 with a 4.23 GAA and .876 save rate in 30 games last season.

Chosen by the Blue Coats in the third round (No. 76) of the 2014 NHL Draft, Merzlikins is 62-70-28 of every 173 NHL games, all with Columbus. He invested a large portion of that energy dividing begins with Joonas Korpisalo, who was exchanged by the Blue Coats to the Los Angeles Rulers on Walk 1, 2023. He had begun 23 of the Blue Coats' initial 37 games this season.

"It's an association choice," Merzlikins said. "I was [a] stable No. 1. I just hopped directly to No. 3. I could have done without it that, clearly. I don't figure anyone would that way, yet once more, it was the association's choice.

"I'm solid. I'm all set. Once more, I can play. No one can do anything about it. The main thing I can do is practice the minutes I can do as the third goalie and backing my colleagues however much I can and do."

Blue Coats mentor Pascal Vincent said the association needs to check whether the injury-tormented Tarasov can be a No. 1 goalie. He is supposed to begin for Columbus (13-20-9) against the Seattle Kraken at home Saturday (7 p.m. ET; ROOT-NW, BSOH) with Merzlikins as the reinforcement.

The 24-year-old is 2-3-2 with a 3.79 GAA and .883 save rate in seven games this season.

"Elvis feels he's a No. 1. I loved that about him. Daniil feels he's the No, 1 and in the event that you ask Spencer, allowed the opportunity, he believes he can be a No. 1, and that is the very thing we need. We need to make that opposition. However, the present moment we're attempting to go with informed choices

  Merzlikens said he never felt like he was No. 2 when he rivaled Karpisalo for the beginning position two seasons later, he actually feels as such.

"I've let you know commonly, I'm not a reinforcement, and I will not be reinforcement," Merzlikins said. "I have confidence in myself. You can call me haughty. … I'm not pompous, I'm simply certain. I know I'm not No. 2 or 3 and I will not be it."