Columbus Blue Jackets News

The Senators have acquired Erik Gudbranson from the Ducks for 2021 fifth-round pick.

Gudbranson is entering the final-year of his deal that carries a $4.0M cap-hit. After nine years with the Panthers, Canucks, Penguins and Ducks, Gudbranson gets a chance to play in his hometown. Gudbranson has been much maligned in recent years but brings physicality to a Senators blueline that lost that edge when they let Mark Borowiecki walk in free agency.

Erik Gudbranson
Merzlikins (undisclosed) is out indefinitely.

Merzlikins was banged up in the Blue Jackets’ Game 4 overtime loss to the Maple Leafs and was not available to backup in Game 5. Head coach John Tortorella was not sure how long Merzlikins will be out when he met with the media on Monday. Look for Joonas Korpisalo to start Game 1 vs. Tampa Bay on Tuesday.

Elvis Merzlikins
The Blue Jackets have signed Elvis Merzlikins to a two-year contract extension worth $8.0 million ($4.0M AAV).

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.

Elvis Merzlikins
Merzlikins left Monday's game with an undisclosed injury and will not return.

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.

Elvis Merzlikins