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Columbus Blue Jackets News
The Blue Jackets have signed Elvis Merzlikins to a two-year contract extension worth $8.0 million ($4.0M AAV).

Merzlikins exploded onto the scene in his first year in North America, going 13-9-8 with a 2.35 GAA, .923 SV% and five shutouts. Merzlikins went on an eight-game winning streak from mid-January to mid-February and was hurt right before the season paused. This signing comes less than a week after Columbus signed Joonas Korpisalo to a two-year, $5.6 million extension ($2.8M AAV), so they've got their young goaltending duo tied up for the next two seasons at a $6.9M AAV cap-hit.

Elvis Merzlikins
Merzlikins left Monday's game with an undisclosed injury and will not return.

Merzlikins was hurt in a collision with Anthony Duclair midway through the second period and as taken out of Monday's game. The Blue Jackets announced that he will not return. Luckily, they just got Joonas Korpisalo back and he entered the game for the rookie netminder.

Elvis Merzlikins
Merzlikins will start Monday vs. the Lightning.

Merzlikins allowed two goals on 22 shots in the Blue Jackets loss to the Avalanche. Merzlikins actually lost a game. It happened. Still, it was a strong showing for the rookie netminder, who is 8-1-0 with a 1.12 GAA, .962 SV% and five shutouts in the last month. Tonight he faces a Lightning team that has gone 18-2-1 in his last 21 games, but Merzlikins is too hot to put on your bench right now.

Elvis Merzlikins