Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins isn't quite sure what the future will hold once Columbus names its new general manager, but he's certain things will be different.
A lot different.
"I'm expecting there's going to be big changes," he said, according to The Athletic's Aaron Portzline. "Huge changes, because we can't keep going like this. There has to be change. We're in the National Hockey League. This is a professional league - the best players in the world.
"The organization is, I believe, going to do what's best, and we'll see during the summertime."
The Blue Jackets are on track to finish at the bottom of the Metropolitan Division for the second straight campaign despite adding Johnny Gaudreau, Ivan Provorov, and Damon Severson over the last two offseasons. Columbus last made the playoffs in 2020.
The organization fired GM Jarmo Kekalainen after 12 seasons at the helm in February. President of hockey operations and alternate governor John Davidson has taken over the duties on an interim basis.
Merzlikins himself could potentially be on the outs in a few months time with the looming front office change. He has three years remaining on his deal with a $5.4-million cap hit, which also comes with a 10-team no-trade list.
"I'm definitely not feeling threatened or scared," he said. "It's not just about my future, it's about everyone's future."
The 29-year-old has rebounded from last season as he's improved his save percentage and goals against average from .876 and 4.23 to .901 and 3.29, respectively. He's also saved 5.92 goals saved above expected at all strengths, per Evolving-Hockey, after ranking dead last among all goalies in GSAx (minus-26.74) in 2022-23.
Merzlikins made waves in January when he said he was in pursuit of "a new scenario." However, the veteran goaltender - who's started 12 of the Jackets' last 23 contests after taking a backseat to Daniil Tarasov - told Portzline that he successfully got his "different scenario."
The Blue Jackets will square off against the Ottawa Senators on Thursday with Merzlikins between the pipes.
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