Player Discussion: The Elvis Thread

[Double-Shift Lasse]

Maybe I’m wrong but if the Greaves thing was disciplinary I don’t think Elvis would be the backup. I have no idea what Evason was insinuating yesterday but maybe Elvis wasn’t the goalie acting up?

I missed anything suggesting it was an "acting up" thing. What I read seemed to insinuate play was the driver for Graves' opportunity. What did I miss?

 

[CBJWerenski8]

I missed anything suggesting it was an "acting up" thing. What I read seemed to insinuate play was the driver for Graves' opportunity. What did I miss?

This tweet implies something potentially happened.

Seems like more Elvis drama

 

[Iron Balls McGinty]

I missed anything suggesting it was an "acting up" thing. What I read seemed to insinuate play was the driver for Graves' opportunity. What did I miss?

I think there are people here who automatically assume such a thing. Almost like they rot for his failure in an odd way.

But Evason's vagueness in disclosing why there was an opportunity presented helped lead people to this assumption. I think we are now seeing the "opportunity" is Tarasov's poor play and quite possibly not doing the things in practice he needs to do in order to get more game time.



Ths also doesn't mean any disciplinary either. I think in the same way questions were asked of Jiricek on why he wasn't playing and not being ready, the same could be asked about Tarasov if the organization is treating players the same. Nobody has been asking questions about Tarasov but maybe they should be.

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

Yeah I read all that as “we don’t just call a guy up, even if he’s playing really well, unless there’s an opportunity.” And I then read that opportunity as “someone is playing crappy.”

 

[Iron Balls McGinty]

Yeah I read all that as “we don’t just call a guy up, even if he’s playing really well, unless there’s an opportunity.” And I then read that opportunity as “someone is playing crappy.”

Bus as this is the Elvis thread, people assumed it was Elvis' play/attitude and not Tarasov.

Maybe to an extent it is both of them but given the fact that Elvis has started 12 of the last 14 games with 2 of his last 3 starts being pretty poor and Tarasov is the scratch tonight leads me to believe its more on Tarasov than anything right now.

I guess we'll see how it plays out in the 3 games in 4 days stretch this weekend.

 

[SteelCityCannon]

Bus as this is the Elvis thread, people assumed it was Elvis' play/attitude and not Tarasov.

Maybe to an extent it is both of them but given the fact that Elvis has started 12 of the last 14 games with 2 of his last 3 starts being pretty poor and Tarasov is the scratch tonight leads me to believe its more on Tarasov than anything right now.

I guess we'll see how it plays out in the 3 games in 4 days stretch this weekend.

I just can't read "something has happened and I'm not getting into it" as they've just sucked. That screams of something else.

 

[Iron Balls McGinty]

I just can't read "something has happened and I'm not getting into it" as they've just sucked. That screams of something else.

But those weren't his exact words.

He said "there's been an opportunity created somehow"

Granted, the rest of the quote invited people to read into it "whatever you want" but that doesn't mean whatever people read into it is accurate. An opportunity might just be someone isn't doing their job up to their standards.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

If this is truly just because of poor play from Elvis and Tarasov, then Evason should have just said so (or alluded to it). The whole “when you call a guy up, something has happened, it’s earned but an opportunity has been created somehow. Read into it what you will” is quite the maze for someone who usually just comes out and says what he feels. What’s the harm in saying “we’re looking for more from our goaltending. Greaves has played well and earned a chance.”

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

If this is truly just because of poor play from Elvis and Tarasov, then Evason should have just said so (or alluded to it). The whole “when you call a guy up, something has happened, it’s earned but an opportunity has been created somehow. Read into it what you will” is quite the maze for someone who usually just comes out and says what he feels. What’s the harm in saying “we’re looking for more from our goaltending. Greaves has played well and earned a chance.”

You’re not wrong he worded it poorly. And maybe I’m way off base. But I feel like “something happened” is just a blanket for “when you call a guy up.” As in its never for nothing.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

Elvis was ranked (tied) the second worst starting goalie in the NHL (Fedotov was worse, tied with Mrazek) by the athletics anonymous coaches and former goalies panel on starting nhl goalies.

Overall ranking: T-30

Average tier ranking: 4.40

Like his namesake, Elvis Merzlikins burned bright and fast when he entered the NHL, earning Vezina Trophy votes as a rookie in 2020.

It didn’t last long. Merzlikins has a sub-.900 save percentage and 32.2 goals saved below expected since signing a five-year, $27 million contract extension with Columbus in September 2021.

“He has talent, but he’s just wildly inconsistent with that talent,” one goalie coach said. “I think he just doesn’t have enough of a game plan to how he wants to play. He ad-libs a lot, and because of that he’ll have the wild game where he has a 50-save game, looks unbelievable and makes all these 10-bell saves, but at the same time, on a consistent basis, it just won’t be there.”

Merzlikins received a Tier 5 grade from four of the 10 panelists.

“He’s got a bit of bravado and swagger, which I don’t mind, but you’re going to have it, you’re going to have to back it up,” a retired goalie said.

2024-25 NHL Goalie Tiers: Anonymous panel of coaches and goalies rates all 32 starters

We polled six NHL coaches and four retired goalies, asking them to rate every starting goalie in the league.

www.nytimes.com

There was only 4 tiers so 4/10 panelists don’t even think he’s a starter caliber

 

[NotCommitted]

There was only 4 tiers so 4/10 panelists don’t even think he’s a starter caliber

If looking at it like that, my surprise take away is 6/10 panelists actually think he is starter caliber... or maybe they were just being polite and didn't want to invent new tiers if the default option was 1-4...

No dig at Elvis and honestly the team has given up so much the past few season it's been a difficult place to play. Korpisalo was on beast mode his last season and he had like .910 which immediately jumped above .920 in the Kings. Now he's back to being Elvis level on a supposedly better team... That person with the "he's got talent but..." was pretty much where I'm at with Elvis. There also hasn't really been a benchmark to judge him against, maybe they can coax McElhinney out of retirement to serve as the backup

 

[DankoCBJ]

Edit. Despite some more calmness or whatever, Waddell should pull the buy-out on Elvis.

 

[TingleBiscuit]

I think it would be awesome for a CBJ beat writer later to do a piece later this season about the influence Elvis and Monahan have had on each others' respective emotional healing processes this year.

If I imagine myself into Elvis's skates at his age: the past several years my thoughts would have been dominated by feelings that "my teammates may be supportive, but they don't/can't really understand me." After all, they could sympathize with Elvis's loss, but how does anyone really know what it feels like to lose your best friend and hockey ally?

Insert this off-season's tragedy and Monahan. Now someone else really understands him. And the team does too. He's no longer alone in his own head anymore. Addition by subtraction: having lost his one brother, he finds brothers again through the loss of another. And it may have been hugely important for Monahan to have Elvis throughout the process as well, no?

I'm not sure whether the CBJ writers have intentionally avoided this topic due to the recency of the wound, but at some point this needs to be asked. There will be the "right moment" at some point this season, and I feel like there may be an incredible, bittersweet story waiting to be told.

I hope one of the CBJ writers sees this and it plants a seed, or that this suggestion is somehow passed along. I feel like Portzline would do it especially well.

I wanted this to be my first post here because I think it's important. Hi everyone, and thanks.

 

[Viqsi]

I think it would be awesome for a CBJ beat writer later to do a piece later this season about the influence Elvis and Monahan have had on each others' respective emotional healing processes this year.

If I imagine myself into Elvis's skates at his age: the past several years my thoughts would have been dominated by feelings that "my teammates may be supportive, but they don't/can't really understand me." After all, they could sympathize with Elvis's loss, but how does anyone really know what it feels like to lose your best friend and hockey ally?

Insert this off-season's tragedy and Monahan. Now someone else really understands him. And the team does too. He's no longer alone in his own head anymore. Addition by subtraction: having lost his one brother, he finds brothers again through the loss of another. And it may have been hugely important for Monahan to have Elvis throughout the process as well, no?

I'm not sure whether the CBJ writers have intentionally avoided this topic due to the recency of the wound, but at some point this needs to be asked. There will be the "right moment" at some point this season, and I feel like there may be an incredible, bittersweet story waiting to be told.

I hope one of the CBJ writers sees this and it plants a seed, or that this suggestion is somehow passed along. I feel like Portzline would do it especially well.

I wanted this to be my first post here because I think it's important. Hi everyone, and thanks.

That's an excellent point and one I hadn't thought of. Would certainly help explain a lot. (Also, welcome!)

 

[majormajor]

I think it would be awesome for a CBJ beat writer later to do a piece later this season about the influence Elvis and Monahan have had on each others' respective emotional healing processes this year.

If I imagine myself into Elvis's skates at his age: the past several years my thoughts would have been dominated by feelings that "my teammates may be supportive, but they don't/can't really understand me." After all, they could sympathize with Elvis's loss, but how does anyone really know what it feels like to lose your best friend and hockey ally?

Insert this off-season's tragedy and Monahan. Now someone else really understands him. And the team does too. He's no longer alone in his own head anymore. Addition by subtraction: having lost his one brother, he finds brothers again through the loss of another. And it may have been hugely important for Monahan to have Elvis throughout the process as well, no?

I'm not sure whether the CBJ writers have intentionally avoided this topic due to the recency of the wound, but at some point this needs to be asked. There will be the "right moment" at some point this season, and I feel like there may be an incredible, bittersweet story waiting to be told.

I hope one of the CBJ writers sees this and it plants a seed, or that this suggestion is somehow passed along. I feel like Portzline would do it especially well.

I wanted this to be my first post here because I think it's important. Hi everyone, and thanks.

If the players want to talk about it, then I'm sure Portzline will write it. There's no one better in the business of hockey writers, in any market, at writing a long form tearjerker.

It's too soon still. Monahan so far doesn't want to talk about it at length. And I think we're still in wait and see mode with Elvis. He's been somewhat better and the relationships with the teammates have been better but it still feels step by step, so that's more reason to wait.

FWIW, Johnny has more close friends on the Jackets, not just the incoming Monahan. Gudbranson and Gaudreau came here together and were practically raising their families together. I'm sure guys like Jenner and Werenski all had a lot to learn about grief and could better empathize with Elvis.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

 

[DankoCBJ]

If Elvis plays like that, calm and collected. I will absolutely root for this guy and I will give up on the idea of a future buy-out. Good job lately Elvis! Dont let this be false hope?!

 

[Cyclones Rock]

If Elvis plays like that, calm and collected. I will absolutely root for this guy and I will give up on the idea of a future buy-out. Good job lately Elvis! Dont let this be false hope?!

Before the season, I was of the thinking that Elvis stood a good chance of being a buy out at the end of the season. But my thinking has changed.

Based on Elvis' performance to date this season, I'd find it highly unlikely that the CBJ would think that there are 64 goalies better than Elvis is. He's-at the very least-at the level of a solid back up.

Because the CBJ would have to eat 2/3rds of his contact, Elvis' replacement (in terms of AAV) would amount to a higher cash and AAV outlay at $1.8m or above. I don't see an argument that could be made at this juncture that would justify a buyout of his contract after this season even if he falters from his recent performance level.

This, of course, doesn't mean that the CBJ won't attempt to secure a better goalie in the off season.

 

[thebus88]

Everything depends on what his teammates think.

He’s the SAME goalie he’s always been.

 

[Iron Balls McGinty]

Before the season, I was of the thinking that Elvis stood a good chance of being a buy out at the end of the season. But my thinking has changed.

Based on Elvis' performance to date this season, I'd find it highly unlikely that the CBJ would think that there are 64 goalies better than Elvis is. He's-at the very least-at the level of a solid back up.

Because the CBJ would have to eat 2/3rds of his contact, Elvis' replacement (in terms of AAV) would amount to a higher cash and AAV outlay at $1.8m or above. I don't see an argument that could be made at this juncture that would justify a buyout of his contract after this season even if he falters from his recent performance level.

This, of course, doesn't mean that the CBJ won't attempt to secure a better goalie in the off season.

I think there are a couple of questions with potential answers.

1. Are there better goalies than Elvis? Yes
2. Are those better goalies acquirable without drastically overplaying? I don't know for sure but I lean towards No.

If the way the defense and goaltending (all 3 of them) has played recently the best play might just be holding the course and improving in the other places for another year.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

Goaltender Elvis Merzlikins is playing his way back to the form he showed early in his career. On Saturday, he stopped 31 of 33 shots, including a huge stop on L.A.’s Adrian Kempe at 2:10 of overtime when Kempe got a clean look off a two-on-one. Merzlikins is 9-2-1 with a .906 save percentage and 2.70 goals-against average in his last 12 outings dating to Dec. 19. In that span, he’s beaten New Jersey, Boston, Carolina, Toronto and now Los Angeles, among others. With that recent run, his save percentage is up to .894, just a tick below the NHL’s leaguewide average of .895.

• It’s not only Merzlikins’ numbers that have improved. Here’s Blue Jackets coach Dean Evason on his goaltender: “What we really liked is his ability to calm things down in the zone. Elvis makes some spectacular saves. Highlight-reel saves. But the ones that are fantastic are the ones he catches when we’re stuck in our zone, when he smothers the pucks like Velcro when we need a stop. There’s not a lot of chaos after that. He’s done a good job of that, but he’s also done a good job, personally, of staying calm when things get a little hectic. We talk about leadership all the time, and you don’t talk about goalies a lot (in that way). But he’s led us in a lot of hockey games.”

 

[Jovavic]

After Marchenko scored the OT goal the bench cleared out and it looked like half went to Krill and the rest went to Elvis, who was on his way to celebrate, I think that says alot about him repairing his relationships in the room.

 

[Cheddarcheese]

After Marchenko scored the OT goal the bench cleared out and it looked like half went to Krill and the rest went to Elvis, who was on his way to celebrate, I think that says alot about him repairing his relationships in the room.

Russians went to marchy lol everyone else to elvis LOL

 

[Iron Balls McGinty]

After Marchenko scored the OT goal the bench cleared out and it looked like half went to Krill and the rest went to Elvis, who was on his way to celebrate, I think that says alot about him repairing his relationships in the room.

I try not to read too much into that type of stuff since it is a traditional thing to go to your goalie after a win but I do agree the narrative that he is a problem in the locker room was either way over blown in the past, the locker room has genuinely improved, or a combination of both.

In any event, I've always believe management and coaching were the purveyors of the attitude in the locker room and now that it has changed it seems the team is more empowered to have fun and have success instead of being scolded for playing poorly and "doing it the wrong way.".

 

[majormajor]

In any event, I've always believe management and coaching were the purveyors of the attitude in the locker room and now that it has changed it seems the team is more empowered to have fun and have success instead of being scolded for playing poorly and "doing it the wrong way.".

Your memory is short if you thought the two years under Larsen was about scolding and not playing freely. That was a more lax environment than we see under Evason.

Our room has come together for a variety of reasons. We've had a bit of turnover (removing Laine, Roslovic, etc... helped a lot). We've had players coming together after Johnny's passing. We've had renewed focus on building a good room from Evason. And the team is winning. And some good moves like Waddell asking Elvis to focus on rebuilding his relationships with his teammates - if they want to play for you they'll play well for you.

Sometimes locker rooms work despite bad coaching and management, and sometimes locker rooms don't work despite strong coaching and management. It's the players.