
Columbus Blue Jackets News


Merzlikins exploded onto the scene in his first year in North America, going 13-9-8 with a 2.35 GAA, .923 SV% and five shutouts. Merzlikins went on an eight-game winning streak from mid-January to mid-February and was hurt right before the season paused. This signing comes less than a week after Columbus signed Joonas Korpisalo to a two-year, $5.6 million extension ($2.8M AAV), so they've got their young goaltending duo tied up for the next two seasons at a $6.9M AAV cap-hit.

Garland is expected to miss three weeks, which could effectively end his 2020 campaign. This is a huge-blow for the Coyotes, who lose their leading goal-scorer in the middle of a playoff race.


Jaros played in the last seven games with the Senators but will swap spots with Christian Wolanin and return to Belleville. He has two goals and 13 assists (15 points) in 32 AHL games this year.

Thurkauf, 22, played in three straight NHL games but returns to the AHL with Alexander Wennberg and Riley Nash returning to the Blue Jackets lineup. Thurkauf has nine goals and 16 assists (25 points) in 47 games with Cleveland.

Merzlikins was hurt in a collision with Anthony Duclair midway through the second period and as taken out of Monday's game. The Blue Jackets announced that he will not return. Luckily, they just got Joonas Korpisalo back and he entered the game for the rookie netminder.

Gudbranson has been out for the last eight games and the updated timetable suggests he'll miss at least seven more. Brendan Guhle has been bumped into a top-4 role.


Thurkauf made his NHL debut in Nashville on Saturday, playing 8:01 TOI. The 22-year-old former seventh-round pick has picked up 25 points (9G / 16A) in 47 AHL games this season and is expected to be back on a line with Kevin Stenlund and Emil Bemstrom.

Heinen's production continues to trend downward after his 47-point campaign in 2017-18. He has just seven goals and 15 assists through 58 games this season.The 24-year-old carries a $2.8M cap hit through the 2020-21 season.








