The Columbus Blue Jackets and Calgary Flames met on Black Friday afternoon for the first time since the passing of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau. The game itself will be remembered for how physical it was. Adam Fantilli scored twice to help the Blue Jackets improve to 10-9-3 and over hockey .500 with a 5-2 win.
Elvis Merzlikins
Things have not gone according to plan ever since goaltender Elvis Merzlikins signed an extension to stay with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Although his 2023-24 season was better statistically than the previous year, his performance is not meeting the value of his contract. GM Don Waddell said over the summer that “nobody’s taking that contract”
Joe Smith and Michael Russo of The Athletic: Sources have said that the Minnesota Wild showed some interest in Columbus Blue Jackets forward Patrik Laine dating back to the draft in June. Since teams are now eligible to talk to Laine, it’s expected that the Wild will be one of those teams. The Wild don’t
Let’s start our 2024 Columbus Blue Jackets’ Summer Series with a question. Which is hotter? The heat that has gripped Central Ohio in recent days or the heat surrounding the team’s goaltending going into 2024-25? If you said the former, that’s a good answer. It’s felt like over 100 degrees with the humidity. Even the
NHL Now: David Pagnotta on NHL Now when asked about the goalie market after Jacob Markstrom and Darcy Kuemper were traded this week. ** NHLRumors.com transcription Bill Pidto: “So Kuemper’s a King. Markstrom’s a Devil. How about the rest of the goalie trade market? Linus UIlmark may be on the move soon, from the Bruins.
NHL Network: The panel talks about the goalie trade market leading up to the March 8th NHL trade deadline. ** NHLRumors.com transcription Jamie Hersch: “I just think about the goalie market out there and a potential Markstrom or somebody like, is there a market out there for a big goalie? New Jersey comes to mind
Elvis Merzlikins made news when he met the media in Columbus on Friday after not playing for several games. After backstopping the Blue Jackets to a 4-3 shootout win over the Vancouver Canucks on Monday, he clarified his comments. Merzlikins has requested a trade from the Blue Jackets. On Friday, Merzlikins said that there was
The Edmonton Oilers have been looking for ways to improve since the start of their 2023-24 campaign wasn’t great, and they continue to try and find a way to get back to their winning ways. With the firing of Jay Woodcroft and the team choosing to assign Jack Campbell to the American Hockey League (AHL)
Saturday August 26 would have been the late Matiss Kivlenieks‘ 27th birthday. The Cleveland Monsters are making sure that his legacy is preserved. This year is no different. The team is hosting their second-annual “Kivi Day.” The Monsters are paying tribute to Kivlenieks while giving back to the community. This is their way of continuously
It’s no secret that Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins didn’t have the best season in 2022-23. The 29-year-old Latvian appeared in 30 games and started in 27. He posted a 7-18-2 record with a 4.23 goals-against average (GAA) and a .876 save percentage (SV%). We’ll take a look at how these numbers compared to his
With just 12 days remaining until the 2023 NHL Trade Deadline, the Columbus Blue Jackets are facing a major dilemma. What was once thought of as an easy decision suddenly is anything but. The team now has to decide how to handle the future of their goaltending. Explore everything hockey with THW’s Hockeypedia pages. Their
The Columbus Blue Jackets have reached their home opener for the 2022-23 season. It marks the first home opener in a Blue Jackets’ uniform for both newly-signed free-agent Johnny Gaudreau and top prospect Kent Johnson. There is plenty of reason as a fan to be fired up for this team. The home debuts of Gaudreau
Bratt on his contract situation Amanda Stein: New Jersey Devils pending RFA forward Jesper Bratt on what his contract situation means for his offseason: “I’m focusing on doing everything I can to be a better player next season hopefully the negotiation part will go well. I see New Jersey as my home.” Scheifele hasn’t asked
Welcome back to Blue Jackets News and Rumors. They have played four games since last we spoke winning three of the four including Monday night’s 7-4 win in Buffalo. Two players in particular stood out in a big way in that game. That will be our focus of this week. We will talk about the
Although the NHL’s 2021-22 season is barely underway, it shouldn’t come as a surprise to hear that goaltending storylines are already aplenty. As the position that often faces the greatest fluctuations between scrutiny and celebration, only a few games are ever required for the masses to dictate which trend any given netminder is playing through
The Columbus Blue Jackets in consecutive games have scored eight goals and then got an overtime winner from Patrik Laine to start the season 2-0. As exciting as those moments are for the team, there’s even better news for them that is worth mentioning. Have you seen their defensive play especially on Saturday night against
Elvis Merzlikins called it his most important game. Brad Larsen called it both a special and strange night. But many years from now and beyond, Thursday night’s Blue Jackets’ home opener won’t soon be forgotten. A total of 13 Blue Jackets’ scored at least one point in their decisive 8-2 win against the Arizona Coyotes.
Matiss Kivlenieks saved his best for last. On Thursday, a Memorial Service was held in suburban Columbus to remember the late Blue Jackets’ goaltender who tragically died due to a fireworks accident. He will be remembered for a lot of things. But after Thursday, he will be remembered always as a hero. Related: Hockey World