The former HC Lugano goaltender only signed his entry-level deal with CBJ on March 22. However, Elvis Merzlikins and his agent managed to force the Blue Jackets' hand and avoid signing a tryout agreement with AHL's Cleveland Monsters, which would have pushed his entry-level deal (two-way) to the 2019-20 season.
As Brian Hedger from the Columbus Dispatch reports, Merzlikins' one-year, one-way contract is $874,125 (cap hit) with no performance bonuses. He will have one more Restricted Free Agent year after this one and become an Unrestricted Free Agent in 2021.
The 25-year-old Latvian, who is currently representing his country at the World Championship, made his debut in Switzerland's highest league in the 2013-14 season. In the 2018-19 regular season, he suited up in 43 games, posting .921 save percentage.
( 15 May 2019 | mso )
