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Columbus Blue Jackets News

Elvis Merzlikins has returned to the Columbus Blue Jackets after taking a personal leave in Latvia.

Merlikins had been having a historically bad season, with his 7-17-2 record, 4.10 GAA and .880 SV% and had left the Blue Jackets' to return to Latvia for personal reasons. The 28-year-old returned Wednesday resulting in Daniil Tarasov returning to Cleveland (AHL).

Elvis Merzlikins
Hunter McKown has been signed to a three-year, entry-level contract and is expected to join the team this week.

McKown had 21 goals, seven assists, 30 PIMs and a -19 plus/minus through 38 games with Colorado College (NCAA) and has been signed to a three-year, entry-level contract and is expected to join the team this week. The 20-year-old was an undrafted free agent.

Hunter McKown
Merzlikins will start Tuesday in Pittsburgh.

Merzlkins allowed four goals on 23 shots (.826 SV%) for his fifth loss in six starts as he was defeated by the Ottawa Senators last game. Merzlikins has been historically bad this season, with his 7-17-2 record, 4.15 GAA and .879 SV%. He takes on the Pittsburgh Penguins, who just snapped a four-game winning streak with a 4-1 loss to Florida last game.

Elvis Merzlikins
Dante Fabbro has signed a one-year, $2.5 million extension with the Nashville Predators.

Fabbro has a goal, seven assists, 70 SOG, 36 PIMs and a +3 plus/minus through 56 games played and has signed a one-year, $2.5 million extension with Nashville. The 24-year-old has 12 goals, 56 points and 121 PIMs through 230 career NHL games across five seasons.

Dante Fabbro
Merzlikins will start Friday vs. the Kraken.

Merzlikins stopped 38 of 41 shots (.927 SV%) to snap a three-game losing streak as he beat Buffalo in his previous start. The 28-year-old has been historically bad this season, with his .879 SV%, 4.10 GAA and 7-15-2 record. He will face the Seattle Kraken, who have won their last two games and are sixth in the NHL in goals per game (3.49).

Elvis Merzlikins
Elvis Merzlikins will start Tuesday vs. Buffalo.

Merzlikins allowed three goals on 44 shots (.932 SV%) for his third straight loss as he was defeated by Minnesota in his previous start. The 28-year-old has had a horrendous 2022-23 campaign, with his 6-15-2 record, 4.14 GAA and .876 SV%. He will face the Buffalo Sabres, who have won five of their last six games and are 2nd in the NHL in goals per game (3.78).

Elvis Merzlikins
Elvis Merzlikins is the likely starter Tuesday vs. Buffalo.

Merzlikins allowed three goals on 44 shots (.932 SV%) for his third straight loss as he was defeated by Minnesota in his previous start. The 28-year-old has had a horrendous 2022-23 campaign, with his 6-15-2 record, 4.14 GAA and .876 SV%. He will face the Buffalo Sabres, who have won five of their last six games and are 2nd in the NHL in goals per game (3.78).

Elvis Merzlikins
The Golden Knights have acquired Dysin Mayo from the Coyotes for a 2023 fifth-round pick and Shea Weber's contract.

Mayo failed to pick up a point across 15 games played with Arizona but had seven SOG, eight PIMs and a -8 plus/minus and has now been dealt to the Vegas Golden Knights for a 2023 fifth-round pick and Shea Weber's contract. Mayo will report to Henderson (AHL) Wednesday, as the defenseman also had two goals and seven points across 26 games with the Tucson Roadrunners (AHL) prior to the deal.

Dysin Mayo
Merzlikins will start Tuesday vs. the Devils.

Merzlikins stopped 26 of 29 shots (.897 SV%) to snap a three-game losing streak with a victory over the Toronto Maple Leaf's last start. The 28-year-old has a historically bad SV% this season, ranking bottom-five all-time with his .871 SV%, leading to his 6-14-0 record and 4.34 GAA. He will face the New Jersey Devils, who had a three-game winning streak snapped after a 3-2 shootout loss to Minnesota last game and are fourth in the NHL in shots per game (34.1).

Elvis Merzlikins