Player Discussion: The Elvis Thread

[Cyclones Rock]

First, look at Merzlikins’ play on the ice.

He’s tied for ninth in the league in wins (20) but is 35th in save percentage (.897) and 36th in goals-against average (2.94). That’s a mixed bag, to be sure, but look at his numbers since Christmas: 10-5-1 with a .907 save percentage and 2.67 goals-against average.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6157937/2025/02/25/nhl-blue-jackets-playoffs/

 

[Iron Balls McGinty]

First, look at Merzlikins’ play on the ice.

He’s tied for ninth in the league in wins (20) but is 35th in save percentage (.897) and 36th in goals-against average (2.94). That’s a mixed bag, to be sure, but look at his numbers since Christmas: 10-5-1 with a .907 save percentage and 2.67 goals-against average.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6157937/2025/02/25/nhl-blue-jackets-playoffs/

Not sure how others compare during that same time period but those same numbers over the course of the year but him at 20th in sv% and 25th in GAA.

Decent and not terrible in the big picture and much better than over the last couple of years.

 

[Cyclones Rock]

I'm hoping that these last few months and the Outdoor Game are giving Elvis a real self confidence in his game. A goalie with real confidence is huge in the NHL.

A lot of times athletes talk about self confidence/belief and it's really false bravado. I've long suspected that Elvis was more of the latter and I hope he's the former at this point. He should be. He's a legit NHL starter at this point. He hasn't been for several years.

 

[joybang]

He’s been better the last couple months for sure. I just don’t want to fall into the trap of average goal tending being good because it’s been dire for years. For this team today it’s a revelation but for the future we should still look to improve.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

 

[CBJx614]

Definitely not crying or anything, it's just allergy season

 

[CBJWerenski8]

 

[Iron Balls McGinty]

Good choice on the Barn. Love that place.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

Elvis unraveled again, by giving up a touchdown and smashing his stick in addition to potentially pulling himself.

 

[Indy18]

Elvis unraveled again, by giving up a touchdown and smashing his stick in addition to potentially pulling himself.

Dean is NOT HAPPY based on that interview. I wonder if this game is the tipping point for the front office this summer with Elvis.

 

[SteelCityCannon]

Dean is NOT HAPPY based on that interview. I wonder if this game is the tipping point for the front office this summer with Elvis.

DW made it very clear what his thoughts were on Elvis when he came in. Both he and the CBJ need a fresh start bad.

 

[punk_o_holic]

DW made it very clear what his thoughts were on Elvis when he came in. Both he and the CBJ need a fresh start bad.

You think another NHL team takes a chance at him? Or back to Europe for him? If Europe, if they loan him, does his cap still count?

Or buying him out won't be an issue since the hit would be small ? One of the sites made it seem like it would be $1.5(save$3.9), $2.8(save$2.6) $1.63(lose),$1.63(lose). Seems low, those numbers accurate?

 

[thebus88]

A waste of half a decade.

The only thing Elvis has done positive for the team, is set them up for future success by helping the team add guys like Fantilli, KJ, etc., while also just giving the team a future boost from simply being used to (and subsequently ending) playing in front of a terrible goalie they don’t enjoy playing for.

 

[DankoCBJ]

So inconsistent. That is the problem at hand with Elvis. Your number 1 goalie can't be this inconsistent if you want to make it.

Unreliable.

 

[Long Live Lyle]

So inconsistent. That is the problem at hand with Elvis. Your number 1 goalie can't be this inconsistent if you want to make it.

Unreliable.

His biggest issue and most frustrating. He’s just in his head a lot and/or extremely inconsistent. He can get on a heater, but not enough to justify the inconsistency AND the “antics”.

I’m a pretty big Elvis fan (even have his jersey) but this season should probably be it. The only way I think he should be back is if they’re able to make the playoffs AND he’s the primary starter in these final games (like, starts in 5 or 6 of them and plays decently well) AND he plays reasonably well in the playoffs. I doubt both that this team makes the playoffs and that it’s his net anyway from here on out, which means it’s probably over.

It looked earlier in the season like he turned a corner with his mental nature and in the locker room, and he’s probably better there than he used to be, but it’s not enough. It doesn’t matter the reasons/excuses. Covid seasons impacting his growth, four (well, five…) head coaches, front office changes, terrible defensive roster for most of his tenure, being/becoming a father, and of course, the tragedy of Kivi’s death….

All/most of them are probably valid reasons / excuses. But it doesn’t matter. This was his one chance at a fresh start in Cbus, with the new HC/GM. And again, it was better, but not enough. He’s on the wrong side of 30, he can only change so much. With the cap rising and with choosing to hold off on the buyout until now, the buyout this summer will now be semi-reasonable.

I’m still hopeful in the ~5% chance I laid out above that we rally to make the playoffs and his play is part of the reason why. But 95% I think this should be it.

 

[Long Live Lyle]

A waste of half a decade.

The only thing Elvis has done positive for the team, is set them up for future success by helping the team add guys like Fantilli, KJ, etc., while also just giving the team a future boost from simply being used to (and subsequently ending) playing in front of a terrible goalie they don’t enjoy playing for.

This team was going nowhere (until perhaps this year) no matter who the goalie was (outside of maybe Hellebuyck) since basically the PLD saga.

He was in the top half of the league (closer to top-third) in goals saved expected / 60 in each of 2019-20, 2020-21, and 2021-22. But he’s been terrible the last three seasons. It was better this year basically through the Stadium Series, but the terrible recent play has brought him back down to near the very bottom.

 

[cbjthrowaway]

So inconsistent. That is the problem at hand with Elvis. Your number 1 goalie can't be this inconsistent if you want to make it.

Unreliable.

any goalie in the league – even the bad ones – can stand on their head for a night. doesn't mean they actually have it in them to be a #1 goalie.

elvis sure doesn't, even if one out of every eight games he looks one.

 

[Cyclones Rock]

DW was very clear that this was a "do or die" year for Elvis. In terms of attitude on the ice, he's improved immensely. His overall performance could be described as "uneven".

Barring some late season turnaround, I think the die is cast for a change in goal for the CBJ. But the devil is always in the details. With the abundance of scouting that's done these days, there's no doubt that there are a few diamonds in the rough (AHL?) who fall beneath the radar of most of us fans. Hopefully, DW & Co. have identified one or two of these types along with a more known quantity in net and will obtain someone.

Will Elvis be bought out or traded with retention? Will he stay as a back up? If the reins are given to Tarasov and Greaves the rest of the season and they perform well, then what? The only thing about the CBJ goaltending situation for next year that is certain is that it's uncertain.

 

[Xoggz22]

Dean is NOT HAPPY based on that interview. I wonder if this game is the tipping point for the front office this summer with Elvis.

I think the tipping point was before the season but they were happy to see more control and, in my opinion, overall improved attitude and play. Unfortunately, a single event, like last night, destroys any good efforts throughout the year. I don't see how there isn't a change (for both it appears needed). For the health of that locker room, they need a reliable option and someone with a little more stable approach. It's a shame to have to write this.

 

[Xoggz22]

DW was very clear that this was a "do or die" year for Elvis. In terms of attitude on the ice, he's improved immensely. His overall performance could be described as "uneven".

Barring some late season turnaround, I think the die is cast for a change in goal for the CBJ. But the devil is always in the details. With the abundance of scouting that's done these days, there's no doubt that there are a few diamonds in the rough (AHL?) who fall beneath the radar of most of us fans. Hopefully, DW & Co. have identified one or two of these types along with a more known quantity in net and will obtain someone.

Will Elvis be bought out or traded with retention? Will he stay as a back up? If the reins are given to Tarasov and Greaves the rest of the season and they perform well, then what? The only thing about the CBJ goaltending situation for next year that is certain is that it's uncertain.

I know this shows I have a firm grasp of the obviously, but CBJ will do everything they can to move him with retention. The good news is, with only two years left, it would have no Cap impact on this club. They won't get crap for him and maybe they get a bad contract back (with less retain), but addition by subtraction would seem the case here.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

 

[Jovavic]

Ownership not retaining on Laine raises some questions regarding Elvis. Will they even allow him to be bought out? Will they allow a trade with any retention?

 

[Iron Balls McGinty]

Ownership not retaining on Laine raises some questions regarding Elvis. Will they even allow him to be bought out? Will they allow a trade with any retention?

Apples and oranges.

I see no connection how the 2 compare. We were lucky to not have to retain on Laine.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

Ownership not retaining on Laine raises some questions regarding Elvis. Will they even allow him to be bought out? Will they allow a trade with any retention?

They’d be saving money if he’s bought out. Ownership has allowed the team to buyout many contracts before with Wennberg (albeit at reduced cost), Commodore, Tyutin, Hartnell, etc. I don’t think a buyout will be an issue. Commodore and Tyutin were bought out with the same amount of years left as Elvis.

Trading him with retained salary seems unlikely because 1. That would require a team to want a 3.00 GAA goalie with baggage at 2 million+ per year and 2. Go against the norm of CBJ ownership not trading a contract with retention unless it was on an expiring deal. They’ve never done it yet, so until proven they will, they won’t.

Also, buying him out is less per year (in real dollars) than trading him at 50% retention. So unless Waddell waves a magic wand and gets someone to take the whole contract, I’m thinking he gets bought out.

 

[CarolinaBlueJacket]

I saw Elvis is a semi private moment once about 3 years ago where he was talking to a fan. I couldn't tell what they were talking about, but Elvis kept tearing up and hugging the guy. This went on for 15 minutes or so and they must have hugged 5 times. It was...strange.
Later, my son who was with me said that was the weirdest thing he had ever seen and that no goalie should be on edge like that. I agree.
I certainly have nothing against Elvis and wish him well. I hope he gets his emotions under control as those types of emotions are not condusive to a goalie. Elvis seems like a good guy who is very sensitive and wears his heart on his sleeve.