The news out of the Buckeye State continues to grow as we draw closer and closer to the beginning of training camps around the hockey world.

Starting with the news that broke down in the evening, the Columbus Blue Jackets and goaltender Elvis Merzlikins have agreed to a 5 year contract extension with a total of $27M.

Merzlikins, 27, was a fourth round draft selection by Columbus in 2013. The Latvian born netminder is still under contract for one more year at $4M, and the next annual cap hit until 2028 will be at $5.4M. Merzi has been part of the young tandem in Columbus with Jonas Korpisalo, and both have had streaks of success and failure in between the crease. In 61 career starts, the Latvian is 21-21-13 with a 0.920 save percentage.

This contract solidifies a true number one goaltender in the city of Columbus, and it leaves the questions to what will they do with Korpisalo as they have a deep goaltending pipeline in the works. Danil Tasarov is extremely close to breaking out as he is projected to be the starter in Cleveland at the age of 22. Merzlikins will have the support as a tandem or a full time starter.

Zac Rinaldo has been deemed unwelcome by the Blue Jackets brass, and is being told to report to Cleveland for training camp. Since yesterday’s blog, the NHL Players Association is now looking into the matter on behalf of the enforcer and other unvaccinated players, as he is not being given the chance to make the team in the NHL, potentially costing him more money. His role is of a dying breed, but a person’s or player’s livelihood will matter more to the Union.

Dating back to prior to the election, Rinaldo has made comments about being “pro-choice” and a part of the few players remaining in the league that are unvaccinated. Rinaldo was just signed by Columbus earlier in the summer to a league minimum deal.

Columbus invited many players from the Traverse City tournament, as well as other veterans that have been around the team.

Here is the list of players invited by Columbus to training camp: (according to TSN)

Forwards:

C Cole Cassels
LW Adam Helewka
C Cole Fonstad
C Peter Reynolds
LW Brett Gallant
RW Zac Jordan
C Jake Gaudet
LW Tristian Mullin
C Justin Scott
C Kaleb Lawerence
LW Narvin Mutter
C Jake Slaker

Defensemen:

D Bill Sweezey
D Dillon Simpson
D Thomas Schemistch
D Cole Clayton
D Oliver LeBlanc
D Gerard Keane
D Giovanni Vallati
D Mark Woolley

Goaltenders

G Jean-Francois Berube
G Jet Graves
G Emerik Despatie

Most of the guys coming into the training as invitees were either former Blue Jackets or Monsters players, or undrafted as a part of the Traverse City Tournament.


Thoughts on the moves?? More to come...

Join the Discussion: » 5 Comments » Post New Comment

» CBJ PG82 v Carolina Hurricanes — Thank You

» CBJ G82 v Carolina Hurricanes

» CBJ - Is This the End?

» CBJ PG81 @ Nashville — Smashed

» CBJ G81 @ Nashville Predators