Blue Jackets’ Elvis Merzlikins undergoes shoulder surgery, no timeline for return

Some unwanted offseason news in Ohio’s capital.

On Thursday, Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell revealed that goaltender Elvis Merzlikins underwent successful shoulder surgery on Monday. However, there is no timeline for his return.

In a release, Waddell noted that Merzlikins’ ailment was spurred by an injury suffered over the summer.

“Elvis informed us a few weeks ago that he was experiencing some discomfort in his shoulder during his offseason workouts,” said Waddell.  “Following an MRI, it was determined that surgery was the best course of action.  He’ll be evaluated again in a few weeks at which time we’ll have a clearer idea on when he will be back on the ice.”

With the fact that training camp is set to begin on Sept. 16, it’s tough to tell whether Merzlikins will be 100 percent by then, or if the Russian netminder will be any close to game shape in time for the Blue Jackets’ season opener on Oct. 1 against the Buffalo Sabres.

Regardless if the 32-year-old is ready to go by the start of the 2026-27 season, Columbus won’t be completely out of options between the pipes. Last season, as the Blue Jackets struggled during the first couple of months, Merzlikins lost the starting job to Jet Greaves, who helped Columbus climb up the Eastern Conference standings, narrowly missing out on the team’s first postseason berth in six years.

In 30 games in 2025-26, Merzlikins posted a record of 14-11-3, with a 3.40 goals-against average, an .883 save percentage, and one shutout. It was his worst season output since the 2022-23 campaign, when he registered a 4.23 GAA and .876 SV% in 30 appearances.

In 274 career games in the NHL, all with the Blue Jackets, Merzlikins has a record of 108-111-38, with a 3.22 GAA, a .900 SV% and 12 shutouts. He also played in two games during the 2020 playoffs.