Blue Jackets ink goalie Elvis Merzlikins to five-year extension

The Columbus Blue Jackets have committed to their number 1 goalie for the foreseeable future.

The team announced that they have re-signed veteran goalie Elvis Merzlikins to a five-year, $27 million contract extension. The deal, which will carries an annual average value of $5.4 million, will run through the 2026/2027 NHL season.

“Goaltending is a position of strength for our team and Elvis Merzlikins has been an important part of that over the past two seasons so we are very excited to have agreed to terms on a contract extension that will keep him in Columbus for at least the next six years,” said Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen.

“He is big, athletic and has a tremendous passion for the game and we believe he will be an integral part of our success in the coming years.”

The 27-year old, who was selected 76th overall in the 2012 NHL Draft, had made his NHL debut back in 2019 and has done nothing but succeed between the pipes. In 61 career games, he has posted a 21-21-13 record, 2.54 goals-against average, .920 save percentage and seven shutouts.