3 Reasons the Blue Jackets Need to Prioritize Trading Merzlikins – The Hockey Writers – Columbus Blue Jackets

The offseason has been underway for the Columbus Blue Jackets for a while now. They got some good news in the form of a Norris Trophy win for Zach Werenski, and former Blue Jacket Eric Robinson hoisted the Stanley Cup with the Carolina Hurricanes.

The Blue Jackets have more than a few difficult decisions to make this offseason and need to find the kind of upgrades that can get them over the hump and into the playoffs. One way in which they can open up a bit of flexibility for themselves is by trading goaltender Elvis Merzlikins.

The Cap Room Could Be Better Spent

On paper, the Blue Jackets have a plethora of cap space with more than $32 million to work with. That said, they have a lot of things to consider internally. Mason Marchment, Cole Sillinger, Jet Greaves, and Adam Fantilli need new deals. Even if Boone Jenner walks, the Blue Jackets have a sizable chunk tied up to renewing contracts.

The Blue Jackets have a plethora of needs and only so much room to fit everyone in. Clearing Merzlikins’ $5.4 million salary would be nice, providing more cap flexibility. The fact that he has one year left on his deal means moving him is much more feasible than if he had term.

Moving him would also give them flexibility when it comes to locking down Kirill Marchenko and Werenski following next season. The cap is going up, which helps, but offloading Merzlikins’ chunky contract would be hugely helpful.

He Would be an Expensive Backup

There are a few known scenarios in Columbus and one of them is that Greaves is the starter in goal. The 25-year-old took over as the starter, manning the net for 55 games and earning a 26-19-9 record with a 2.60 goals against average and .908 save percentage.

At times, Greaves looked like a legitimate star. He can stand on his head at times and should be a piece the Blue Jackets build around moving forward. That pushes Merzlikins to the bench more often than not.

That would be fine if not for Merzlikins’ salary. Paying $5.4 million for a backup goalie, especially with the other roster challenges the Blue Jackets face, is just not something they can do. Move Merzlikins, sign Greaves to a two-three-year deal, and sign a veteran or promote Ivan Fedotov, and let Greaves handle the lion’s share.

He Can be Packaged for a Bigger Piece

The good news for the Blue Jackets is that they have relatively few holes to plug. The bad news is that, unless Fantilli or Marchenko take a big step forward next season, the Blue Jackets lack the definitive high-end forward that teams need in order to win a championship.

Those forwards don’t come around often, and they are expensive to acquire unless a player forces their way out. Dylan Larkin is available after demanding out and he would definitely be a nice addition, but can he be the kind of difference maker the Blue Jackets need?

The Blue Jackets have a nice mix of picks and prospects to dangle in front of other teams. If they added a proven starting-caliber goaltender like Merzlikins to a trade package, it would only sweeten the pot.

It’s Time to Move On

It feels like now is the time to move on from the 32-year-old goaltender. While it would be nice to have him back, there are just too many areas that require attention and not enough salary cap space to work with.

Merzlikins still has some value as a trade piece, especially with just one year remaining on his contract. If he can move to a team that could use his services, it would work well for both parties. Time will tell what the future holds and where Merzlikins stands with Columbus.