Elvis Merzlikins: "I'm not a backup, I will not be a backup"

[Hockeyfan2390]

Er, does someone want to tell him that he's really not that great?

Merzlikins wants new scenario, 'won't be backup' for Blue Jackets | NHL.com

Goalie scratched 3 times since Dec. 29, hasn’t asked for trade

www.nhl.com

"Being third, No. 3, just like this in one moment, that shocked me, that surprised me,” Merzlikins said Friday. “But then talking to my agent and agent’s talking, we agreed on a new scenario. There has to be a new scenario for me for my career, I believe.”

He said he has not asked for a trade.

“I just want to be treated as No. 1. I believe that I am No. 1,” Merzlikins said. “It didn’t get to that point that I’m requesting (a trade). It went to the point that both sides agreed.”

Merzlikins said he never felt he was the No. 2 when he battled Korpisalo for the starting job the past few seasons and he feels the same now.

“I’ve told you many times, I’m not a backup, and I won’t be backup,” Merzlikins said. “I believe in myself. You can call me arrogant. … I’m not arrogant, I’m just confident. I know I’m not No. 2 or 3 and I won’t be it.”

Click to read more...

 

[jackjohnson]

So Oilers will get Elvis now??

 

[Deep Blue Metallic]

Let's test the Elvis approach ...

Deep Blue Metallic: I'm an astronaut.

Nope. I guess it doesn't work like that.

 

[Artemi Panarin]

That contract is already aging like milk

 

[GrkFlyersFan]

Clearly Elvis is in limbo as Tarasov is getting a shot, Martin is still the backup. Kinda unfair that they want Elvis to wait this evaluation period out, I'd be mad if I were him, too. I just don't know where it would make sense for him to go. There are teams that could use a goalie, but where would Elvis be a clear upgrade over what they have?

 

[deleted user]

Has he been a victim of poor circumstance or is he delusional. Honest question.

 

[Sasha Orlov]

He’s a bonafide starter



In the AHL

 

[Davo Ikinzom]

He’s a bonafide starter



In the AHL

Same save percentage as Montembeault.

 

[Marioesque]

That's Elvis. Earlier in the season he got a bit mad because people dared to suggest Backstrom had done anything to help him back to playing well. No credit to anyone but himself, it clearly annoyed him that people thought coach could have helped. He has a huge ego and being backup doesn't work for him, not surprising.

Tom Wilson dared to be in his way when trying to retrieve his goalie stick, so he pounded Wilson with the blocker and got himself a penalty in OT, and of course costing them the point.

He's actually played some pretty good games this year so he could help a team with goalie issues. Or he could be their problem.

 

[HaNotsri]

If anyone was interested to begin with they are gone now...

 

[nhlfan9191]

As a guy whose played goal his entire life, I’d send a goalie to the ECHL if he ever said put that crap energy out into the universe. He’s in the wrong position. You aren’t given anything as a goalie, you earn it. It comes with the territory.

 

[Canes]

“I’m not a starter, I will not be a starter” is just as true right now though, Elvis

The AHL might need a starting tendie as has already been mentioned

 

[Davo Ikinzom]

“I’m not a starter, I will not be a starter” is just as true right now though, Elvis

The AHL might need a starting tendie as has already been mentioned

Laugh all you want. Your team's probably a likely landing spot with Kochetkov out.

 

[Sasha Orlov]

Same save percentage as Montembeault.

Is this supposed to contradict what I said lmfao

 

[McFlyingV]

I'm not really sure why people are saying he sucks. He's playing pretty well on one of the worst defensive teams in the league. He's a very athletic goalie who sometimes shows inconsistency, but he's easily an NHL starter.

 

[Davo Ikinzom]

Is this supposed to contradict what I said lmfao

No, as long as you think your own starter they just extended belongs in the AHL too.

 

[Sasha Orlov]

No, as long as you think your own starter they just extended belongs in the AHL too.

The whole team belongs in the echl

 

[Dust]

He has the best number on Columbus by a fairly significant margin, he's not really wrong in his statement. None of the other guys are sniffing .900 SV%.

 

[Mike C]

Has he been a victim of poor circumstance or is he delusional. Honest question.

Both?

 

[JKG33]

C'mon now, it's 2024. If he wants to identify as a starting goalie who are we to judge?

Besides, he didn't specify the league

 

[Cursed Lemon]

So Oilers will get Elvis now??

Oh PLEASE make this happen

 

[42]

That contract is gonna be hard to move. The Jackets need to retain.

 

[stevo61]

Hes been good on a horrible team. He faces 35+ shots on the regular and multiple times faced 20+ in the 3rd alone. Then look at Tarasov and Spencer's numbers and you can easily see why hes pissed at being the 3rd goalie. Jarmo and Vincent are actual morons, Merzlikins is not the bad guy in this story when you add even a fraction of context

 

[LokiDog]

I actually like Merz and think he’d benefit from a change of scenery. His play fell after his best friend died and I think going somewhere fresh is what he needs.

 

[stevo61]

Just for fun Merzlikins on Columbus has a higher SV% than Saros, Oettinger, Shesterkin, Georgiev and Vasi but he is AHL caliber and those guys are...?