Proposal: (CBJ/MTL) Merzlikins Pyyhtia for Anderson Primeau

[lanceuppercut75]

to Montreal Canadiens
ELVIS MERZLIKINS (3y @ $5.40m)
Mikael Pyyhtia (1y ELC RFA waivers 2025)

to Columbus Blue Jackets
JOSH ANDERSON (3y @ $5.50m)
CAYDEN PRIMEAU (1y @ $0.89m RFA)


MONTREAL PERSPECTIVE

As the rebuild continues, it might be time soon to move on from Josh Anderson and make room long-term for some kid wingers. Merzlikins is overpaid, but so is Anderson. Primeau isn't impressing in Montreal and the kid goalies Dobes and Fowler aren't close to ready yet. Montembeault and Elvis can compete for starts for now, and (just like Anderson) there's a possibility of an Elvis buyout later on if needed. Dobes waiver eligibility is 2027, which is the same summer both Monteambeault and Merzlikins contracts expire. Fowler's waiver eligibility isn't known yet, but it will be 2027 at the earliest.

COLUMBUS PERSPECTIVE

It's time to move on from Elvis, and there needs to be opportunity in the crease for Greaves in October when his waiver eligibility starts. Let Primeau walk this summer if he plays bad (do not extend qualifying offer), or you could sign him and let Tarasov Greaves Primeau fight for 2 spots in training camp and waive the worst goalie of the 3. Josh Anderson is a former Blue Jacket, a big strong vet winger, and a better fit for the locker room as compared to a goalie that wants out.

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[SoundAndFury]

As not great as Elvis was he provides them with at least some stability in net. And with cap being of no concern for the Jackets this trade could only be possible if they have some good goalie lined up to sign with them. Which they probably don't. Going into the season with some combo of Tarasov, Primeau and Greaves in goal just spells disaster.

And if they want to create an opportunity for Greaves they can just move on from Tarasov who has been terrible, injured half the time, and it's entirely possible will bolt back to Russia in the summer anyway.

 

[Bouboumaster]

What? Colombus want to steal our precious Tank Commander Primeau?

I would not care that this trade happens or not. Completly apathic towards it

 

[lanceuppercut75]

As not great as Elvis was he provides them with at least some stability in net. And with cap being of no concern the the Jackets this trade could only be possible if they have some good goalie lined up to sign with them. Which they probably don't. Going into the season with some combo of Tarasov, Primeau and Greaves in goal just spells disaster.

And if they want to create an opportunity for Greaves they can just move on from Tarasov who has been terrible, injured half the time, and it's entirely possible will bolt back to Russia in the summer anyway.

If this is true (regarding Tarasov), perhaps CBJ could look at moving Tarasov and a pick/prospect for Brossoit. Chicago has 3 goalies now that Soderblom is recently waiver eligible and they don't need Brossoit like they thought they would. Chicago I guess waives Tarasov as what they're really after is the pick or prospect being sent.

Brossoit Greaves Primeau in training camp next season, three guys fighting for two spots. Or just let Primeau walk by not qualifying him and roll with Brossoit Greaves. More stability like you asked for, but Elvis is no longer in Columbus. Letting go of Tarasov and rolling with Merzlikins Greaves next year wouldn't change the fact that Elvis changing teams is probably better for both Elvis and the Blue Jackets at this point.

 

[Mrfenn92]

Really does nothing for either side

 

[Miller Time]

No thanks from MTL.

Anderson is overpriced but is an appreciated teammate and effective in a depth role.

Merzlikins isn't good enough to replace Monty as the starter and his head is too big to be an effective backup.

 

[LazyCircuits]

Not unhappy with trading Elvis and certainly not expecting a lot of value in return but moving him now is not great timing unless we have a trade for a proven starter in the bag waiting. We are still theoretically in the wildcard hunt.

This does look a little like rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic to me.

 

[lanceuppercut75]

This does look a little like rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic to me.

I agree with this statement, but IMO when you have a situation where a team wants to move on from a player, or a player wants out, or a trade seems best for all parties, then a "meh" trade or a "this is just re-arranging the chairs" trade is an overall win. It's not ideal to have guys on the roster that management want gone, or guys in the locker room that don't want to be there anymore.

Not unhappy with trading Elvis and certainly not expecting a lot of value in return but moving him now is not great timing unless we have a trade for a proven starter in the bag waiting.

Tarasov + 3rd/4th for Brossoit, inshallah.

 

[LazyCircuits]

Speaking personally, the only trades I want to see for Columbus before the draft are Provorov for another first and acquiring a top of the range defensive defenseman (but I don’t know who that should be) if one becomes available.

 

[ThirdPeriodTurtle]

Elvis for Andersson would be an intriguing swap on its own, the extra pieces are not needed. Columbus does not need Primeau, he's been so bad this season. Not sure we'd need Andersson either though, even if he's played better as of late.

On the goalies, Elvis has played better this season. His value might not be as low as people think. In fact, his value might be highest to the CBJ right now if he can string together strong games like yesterday. So we'll probably hold on to him for this season and see in the offseason if it makes sense to move on. I'm hoping for future considerations level of trade at some point in the next 1-2 years. He might not be there yet but could be in the offseason, depending on how the goalie market develops...

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

Easy pass.

Not that Anderson has higher value, but he's played well enough with contributing and beating people up.

 

[majormajor]

Tarasov + 3rd/4th for Brossoit, inshallah.

This seems like a better trade to me for the Jackets.

 

[Hostile Offer]

The cap is even and Elvis can't be worse than Primeau so I say yes, we can find another Anderson much more cheaply, maybe it can even be Pyyhtiä who knows. Not sure how Anderson would feel about a return to Columbus though, IIRC there were plenty of contract issues there when he was RFA.

 

[Whalers Fan]

The cap is even and Elvis can't be worse than Primeau so I say yes, we can find another Anderson much more cheaply, maybe it can even be Pyyhtiä who knows. Not sure how Anderson would feel about a return to Columbus though, IIRC there were plenty of contract issues there when he was RFA.

The Habs can probably find a backup goalie cheaper, too. Anderson seems to have accepted his role this season, and has been doing well in that role (if overpaid). Primeau does need to go, but there must be better fits than Elvis out there to backup Monty.