Insider Sees Eventual Columbus Goalie Trade to Edmonton

According to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, the hockey insider believes Columbus Blue Jackets netminder Elvis Merzlikins is the type of goaltender the Edmonton Oilers will target via trade this offseason.

Friedman shared this nugget within his 31 Thoughts blog.

Well @reporterchris had the big scoop of the day...here’s this week’s blog. Enjoy!https://t.co/uqlI3WLFcL
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) March 9, 2021

The 26-year-old netminder is signed for next season at a reasonable $4 million clip and does not hold any trade protection. In nine games this season, Merzlikins has put up some solid numbers with a 2.81 GAA and a .917 save %.

The Blue Jackets have Joonas Korpisalo who is signed next season as well for $2.8 million so moving Merzlikins would of course free up some money.

The Oilers have roughly $24 million in cap space to spend next season and also have Ryan Nugent-Hopkins to worry about extending, along with Tyson Barrie and Adam Larsson.

Keep an eye on the Oilers as they have been linked this trade deadline to Eric Staal, but appear to be set on riding Mike Smith for this playoff run. Next season, Elvis may enter the building.