Player Discussion: The Elvis Thread

[majormajor]

Not on their PK. They've been atrocious for most of the playoffs. Kulak and Nurse have been gawd awful on simple clearing attempts.

Hmmm…..Kulak is scary in his own zone and Klingberg, once a decent offensive player but not now, was scratched. Bouchard can move the puck and Ekholm is a quite competent DMan with above average puck skills though not great. Aside from past game Nurse is a guy who I see as a generally inconsequential high paid player prone to some good play but gaffes as well. It’s not a group beyond the top pair that does much for me (though Walman has flashed some).

After the elite top pair I like Walman - Nurse - Kulak as a 3-4-5. That's really good. They do look on the rough side right now, that's the Florida forecheck effect where the normal pass options are all getting taken away. But relatively to how most D do in that situation, I like that group. They often beat the forecheck. They were excellent through the first three rounds too.

On the PK, yes they've been brutal, but that's more to do with the gaps under the high forward. The group has lost its form. This same group was excellent on the PK a year ago, they didn't yield Florida any PP goals, if I remember correctly. That's how fickle PP's are.

What does this have to do with Calvin Pickard's numbers? Not much in my opinion. He's long established as a replacement level goalie.

 

[Iron Balls McGinty]

An organization that is serious about winning will not have Elvis on their roster. 52/54 in save % (.890) of goalies who have played more than 75 games in the last 3 seasons and his 51/54 gaa (3.50) would be automatic disqualiers for him to be kept on the roster of any NHL team who wants to win.

There isn't a worthy metric that exists that makes any case for keeping him around. The arguments against buyout are lame.

Once the CBJ move on from him, he'll not even play 50 more games in the NHL. He'll be back in Europe within 2 years.

I predict that Elvis will not be a member of the CBJ past June 30th since I believe the CBJ are committed to winning. That is when the buyout window closes.

Is Edmonton not serious about winning because the ran with Pickard and Skinner this season?

How many times have they been in the playoffs (7 times) and even made the finals (2 times) in the last 10 years with a cast of rotating short term hacks in goal?

I get being impatient and wanting to be in "win now" mode but there are different levels of winning. This team CAN make the playoffs with an Elvis and Jet tandem if they make appropriate improvements elsewhere. They can also miss the playoffs without Elvis on the team. I believe GMDW is focused on improving in other places first.

The next step is improving to get into the playoffs and be consistently competitive in the regular season. Months like March after the outdoor game cannot happen. Then we worry about going deep. Edmonton shows it can be done with below average goaltending. Being a better team to make the playoffs and Elvis being or not being on the team are not mutually exclusive.

I believe they are committed to winning but Elvis still being on this team after June 30 doesn't change that belief.

 

[Cyclones Rock]

After the elite top pair I like Walman - Nurse - Kulak as a 3-4-5. That's really good. They do look on the rough side right now, that's the Florida forecheck effect where the normal pass options are all getting taken away. But relatively to how most D do in that situation, I like that group. They often beat the forecheck. They were excellent through the first three rounds too.

On the PK, yes they've been brutal, but that's more to do with the gaps under the high forward. The group has lost its form. This same group was excellent on the PK a year ago, they didn't yield Florida any PP goals, if I remember correctly. That's how fickle PP's are.

What does this have to do with Calvin Pickard's numbers? Not much in my opinion. He's long established as a replacement level goalie.

I used Pickard as a throwaway example. Somehow or another you seem to think that I'm suggesting a Pickard acquisition. I haven't. But for the record I'd take him over Elvis any day of the week.

 

[Iron Balls McGinty]

I used Pickard as a throwaway example. Somehow or another you seem to think that I'm suggesting a Pickard acquisition. I haven't. But for the record I'd take him over Elvis any day of the week.

I think that was my point. You seem willing to throw Elvis out for just another warm body regardless if it is an actual improvement or not.

I want to see actual improvements if we are going to make replacements happen.

 

[CBJx614]

 

[Iron Balls McGinty]

This is in the other offseason thread but this seems worthy to point this out here.

Columbus Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell not weighing buyouts for Merzlikins, Severson

Contract buyouts are not of interest to Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell this offseason, including Elvis Merzlikins and Damon Severson.

www.dispatch.com

Considering the volatility that Merzlikins has displayed as the Blue Jackets’ top goalie the past three years, there are probably fans and analysts who feel it’s worth it.

Waddell disagrees, and it’s his call.

“Until things kind of burst there in March, if you think about the outdoor (Stadium Series) game and how he stole that game, he won us more games than he lost us,” Waddell said. “Things didn’t go well for a couple of weeks in March, and it also didn’t go well for our whole team. So, overall, I think he made big strides, and more importantly ... as a teammate to the rest of the guys.”

 

[Monstershockey]

I think they should just ride out Elvis' contract. It's only two more years, and he can be a decent backup. Give Greaves a chance to prove he belongs at this level. If he falters you at least have a vet to fall back on.

We have a good young group here, may as well try to get younger in goal. If Jet proves himself as a starter, it could work out better for Elvis as he wouldn't have to carry a big workload, and can get plenty of rest between starts.

 

[Iron Balls McGinty]

Not sure why my phone browser double posted this.

 

[Long Live Lyle]

I think they should just ride out Elvis' contract. It's only two more years, and he can be a decent backup. Give Greaves a chance to prove he belongs at this level. If he falters you at least have a vet to fall back on.

We have a good young group here, may as well try to get younger in goal. If Jet proves himself as a starter, it could work out better for Elvis as he wouldn't have to carry a big workload, and can get plenty of rest between starts.

Yep. Obviously if there’s a true locker room issue that’s one thing. I think that’s either been overblown and/or corrected with Evason and Waddell joining the org. I’m sure Waddell is evaluating all options, including trades (he wouldn’t be doing his job otherwise), but a buyout really doesn’t make much sense if it’s just based on Elvis’s play/money combination (not factoring in the room), along with the state/age of our roster and current goalie FA options available.

That doesn’t mean I think he’s worth $5.4M, or that I’d re-sign him if he was a pending FA (at least at the same price he’s at now, I potentially would if he took a pay cut). Do not misread what I’m saying.

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

I'm not big on the whole "GMs say stuff to misdirect people" but if he says he's exploring a buyout, why would anyone consider trading for him, if that's something Waddell is working?

Which is not to say I think he is or is not trying to trade Elvis, but if he is, he surely wouldn't say he is considering buying him out.

 

[Banana duck]

Yep. Obviously if there’s a true locker room issue that’s one thing. I think that’s either been overblown and/or corrected with Evason and Waddell joining the org. I’m sure Waddell is evaluating all options, including trades (he wouldn’t be doing his job otherwise), but a buyout really doesn’t make much sense if it’s just based on Elvis’s play/money combination (not factoring in the room), along with the state/age of our roster and current goalie FA options available.

That doesn’t mean I think he’s worth $5.4M, or that I’d re-sign him if he was a pending FA (at least at the same price he’s at now, I potentially would if he took a pay cut). Do not misread what I’m saying.

I don’t think the locker room stuff was overblown at the time it happened. There was visible tension between him and players. He does appear to have put the work in to repair the relationships though.

I really do hope Greaves gets the opportunity to play - a good amount too - at least a 60/40 and it goes without issues.

 

[Long Live Lyle]

I'm not big on the whole "GMs say stuff to misdirect people" but if he says he's exploring a buyout, why would anyone consider trading for him, if that's something Waddell is working?

Which is not to say I think he is or is not trying to trade Elvis, but if he is, he surely wouldn't say he is considering buying him out.

As mentioned, I certainly think it’s possible he’s looking at trading him. At least putting out feelers. But I don’t think he feels he “needs” to trade him. And I really think, regardless, he’s not going to buy him out. I think he’ll either be on the roster (65-75%) or traded (20-30%). I’d put a buyout at 5%.

 

[Cyclones Rock]

Columbus Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell not weighing buyouts for Merzlikins, Severson

Contract buyouts are not of interest to Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell this offseason, including Elvis Merzlikins and Damon Severson.

www.dispatch.com

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

Later in the match he adds "You guys are the absolute pits of the world!"

 

[majormajor]

I'm not big on the whole "GMs say stuff to misdirect people" but if he says he's exploring a buyout, why would anyone consider trading for him, if that's something Waddell is working?

Which is not to say I think he is or is not trying to trade Elvis, but if he is, he surely wouldn't say he is considering buying him out.

I highly doubt he's considering a buy out, Elvis had a winning record. But lines like "he won us more games than he cost us" might partly be directed at other clubs. I do think Waddell would go for a trade if something becomes available.

 

[Xoggz22]

I am also in the camp that I don't see a buyout for Elvis. I do think GMDW will do all he can to move Elvis in a trade. The return will depend on what we retain, what is added to the deal or what we are taking back in terms of a crap contract.

I also think it is a very real possibility that even with those efforts, Elvis returns to the CBJ for one more year. Given we won't have any CAP issues, I could also see him not player well and sent to the minors through waivers. at that point he can decline (cancel the contract) or accept and live in Cleveland for the year.

The leash is very, very short and there are options beyond buyout to change the goaltending situation.