Monster $27 million contract for Elvis Merzlikins

Cha-ching, goalie Elvis Merzlikins is cashing in big. 

On Tuesday, the Columbus Blue Jackets announced that their star netminder had agreed to a five-year, $27 million contract extension. 

The deal takes him through the 2026-27 NHL season. 

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This is a great promotion for Merzlikins, who posted a 21-21-13 record with a 2.54 goals-against average, .920 save percentage and seven shutouts in 61 career NHL games spread out over two seasons. 

“Goaltending is a position of strength for our team and Elvis Merzlikins has been an important part of that over the past two seasons so we are very excited to have agreed to terms on a contract extension that will keep him in Columbus for at least the next six years,” said general manager Jarmo Kekalainen in a news release. “He is big, athletic and has a tremendous passion for the game and we believe he will be an integral part of our success in the coming years.”

This does seem like the number for Merzlikins: five years isn’t too long and not too short either. Salary wise just about perfect. 

Good move, wouldn’t you say?