Blue Jackets Goalie Elvis Merzlikins Undergoes Shoulder Surgery, No Timetable for Return – The Hockey Writers – Columbus Blue Jackets

With just under one month before the start of Training Camp, the Columbus Blue Jackets are already dealing with major injuries. This latest one required surgery to repair.

On Thursday afternoon, the Blue Jackets announced that goaltender Elvis Merzlikins suffered a shoulder injury and had successful surgery. The procedure took place on Monday and his return is indefinite at this time.

Injury Details

Here is what GM Don Waddell had to say about the injury per the team’s press release.

“Elvis informed us a few weeks ago that he was experiencing some discomfort in his shoulder during his offseason workouts. Following an MRI, it was determined that surgery was the best course of action. He’ll be evaluated again in a few weeks at which time we’ll have a clearer idea on when he will be back on the ice.”

The timing of this injury for Merzlikins couldn’t have come at a worse time. He is entering the last year of his contract with the Blue Jackets. Based on Waddell’s comments of being re-evaluated in a few weeks, it points to Merzlikins missing at least the start of the season if not longer.

The Blue Jackets signed Pheonix Copley this offseason originally to be the team’s third goalie on the depth chart. He’s now expected to be the backup to Jet Greaves when the season begins. We’ll see if the team believes they’ll need to add another goaltender to ensure there is enough organizational depth while Merzlikins recovers.

In terms of what you can expect to see from the Blue Jackets, expect a lot of Greaves. He was already slated to be the team’s number-one goaltender. Copley is more than capable of playing the backup role. Given the lighter schedule to start the season, the Blue Jackets can afford to start out with this tandem as there is a home heavy schedule coupled with the work load being more spread out.

Along with the news that Isac Lundestrom had surgery to repair an Achillies injury, the Blue Jackets are already feeling the injury bug and we’re not even to September yet. If and when the team announces a more firm timeline for Merzlikins’ return, we will pass that along.