After coming agonizingly close to ending their playoff drought, the Columbus Blue Jackets head into the 2026 offseason with major questions surrounding the roster. A promising 92-point campaign under Rick Bowness showed the franchise is moving in the right direction, but a late-season stumble ultimately kept Columbus out of the postseason.
With general manager Don Waddell looking to take the next step, difficult decisions are looming, and one of the biggest could involve the future of the team's $27 million goaltender.
The player at the center of the trade speculation is Elvis Merzlikins, who is entering the final year of his five-year, $27 million contract, and speculation is once again building around a potential move.
According to NHL insider David Pagnotta, the Blue Jackets are expected to revisit trade discussions involving the veteran netminder this summer. "There's some talk they're gonna start exploring [moving] Elvis Merzlikins again," Pagnotta said.
The trade chatter isn't new. Back in January 2024, Merzlikins publicly expressed frustration with his role after falling down the team's depth chart. Both the goaltender and his agent indicated at the time that a fresh start elsewhere would likely be best for all parties.
Merzlikins made his feelings clear, stating, "I'm not a backup, and I won't be a backup." Although no deal materialized over the past two seasons, the desire for a new opportunity has remained in the background.
Performance has also fueled the speculation. Merzlikins has posted a save percentage below .900 in each of the last four seasons, including an .883 mark in 30 appearances this year. Those numbers have made it increasingly difficult for Columbus to view him as a long-term answer in net.
Meanwhile, the emergence of Jet Greaves has significantly altered the organization's plans. Greaves stepped into a larger role and showed he could be the club's goaltender of the future. With the young netminder due for a new contract, keeping Merzlikins and his $5.4 million cap hit in a secondary role no longer appears to fit Columbus' long-term vision.
For years, Merzlikins' contract was the biggest roadblock to a trade. Many teams were reluctant to take on his $5.4 million cap hit while his performance continued to decline.
Now, with just one year left on his deal, the situation is easing. Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell has more flexibility, and if Columbus retains part of Merzlikins' salary, he could become an appealing option for teams looking for an experienced goaltender at a lower cost.
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Merzlikins also holds a 10-team no-trade clause, giving him some say in where he could be dealt.
With Jet Greaves emerging as Columbus' likely future starter and the organization focused on its younger core, this offseason could finally be the right time for both sides to part ways. A trade that once seemed difficult to pull off now looks far more realistic.
