Overview
- The Blue Jackets announced that Merzlikins had successful shoulder surgery on Aug. 17 and that he will be evaluated again in a few weeks with no timetable given for his return.
- Jet Greaves remains the presumptive starter after earning that role last season and signing a three-year extension, while veteran Pheonix Copley is expected to serve as the immediate backup.
- Merzlikins carries roughly a $5.4 million cap hit for one year remaining on his contract and placing him on long-term injured reserve (LTIR) is a possible way for Columbus to create salary-cap space before the Sept. 28 deadline.
- If recovery lingers the club could promote Copley from the minors or accelerate goalie prospect Sergei Ivanov’s move to North America to provide a second-string option.
- Merzlikins is 32 and posted an .883 save percentage in 30 games last season, so his surgery both deepens short-term roster questions and increases early-season workload pressure on Greaves and the Blue Jackets’ defense.