Blue Jackets' Starting Up a Goaltending Carousel
We discuss Elvis Merzlikins, Spencer Martin and everything else going on in Columbus.
Welcome to the THW Columbus Blue Jackets Substack newsletter, with all the latest from our team of CBJ writers.
In today’s edition, we’ll discuss Elvis Merzlikins once again, their need for positive motivation, and more!
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Blue Jackets Must Find Positive Motivation For Rest of Season
January 21, 2024 by Mark Scheig
For the second consecutive season, the Columbus Blue Jackets are playing out the string of their season knowing they won’t be participating in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Although they’re technically not mathematically eliminated, it would take a miraculous run from this point to even have a chance.
Given how the 2023-24 season has gone so far, there are no signs that show a miraculous run coming. With just nine regulation wins in their first 45 games, to say this season has been a disappointment would be a massive understatement.
3 Potential Destinations for Blue Jackets’ Elvis Merzlikins
January 20, 2024 by William Espy
The Columbus Blue Jackets and goaltender Elvis Merzlikins are expected to part ways in the near future. Although there is mixed information out there at this point regarding a trade request from the player, it’s time for both sides to go in a different direction.
The Latvian goaltender has made it clear he feels he’s a starting goalie, and doesn’t want to be a backup which limits the destinations he can go. His contract restricts that list even further, as not many can fit him in under the salary cap. Let’s take a look at a few organizations that could make sense as potential destinations for him.
Blue Jackets Lose Goalie Spencer Martin on Waivers to Hurricanes
January 19, 2024 by Nicholas Arnold
The Columbus Blue Jackets have lost one of their goalies. Spencer Martin, 28, was claimed on waivers by the Carolina Hurricanes. The netminder was waived on Jan. 18 in a flurry of roster moves that included the assignment of their top defensive prospect, David Jiricek, to the American Hockey League (AHL).
Blue Jackets Waive Martin, Assign Jiricek to AHL
January 18, 2024 by Mark Scheig
The Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday afternoon announced that they have waived goaltender Spencer Martin with the intention of assigning him to the Cleveland Monsters. In addition, they have assigned defenseman David Jiricek to the Monsters.
In Martin’s case, the news came as a little bit of a surprise given that the Blue Jackets were using a three-man rotation in net. Given the recent trade request of Elvis Merzlikins, it seemed to point that Martin would be safe from this kind of move.
Blue Jackets News & Rumors: Merzlikins, Canucks Recap & More
January 16, 2024 by Mark Scheig
Welcome back to another week of Blue Jackets News and Rumors. There is so much going on that it managed to make a win against the NHL’s top team a secondary story.
While we will dedicate some space to discuss the win, we will start with the biggest story within Nationwide Arena. Their number-one goalie who’s had a better season and has three years left on his contract after this season has in fact requested a trade from the Blue Jackets.