Blue Jackets Rumors: Columbus open to offers on Elvis Merzlikins

According to the Fourth Period, Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins is available for trade. Merzlikins joins a large grouping of goaltenders who find themselves on the trade market this summer including Juuse Saros, Jacob Markstrom, Joonas Korpisalo, Linus Ullmark and Filip Gustavsson.

Merzlikins lost his starting job last season and went to the media to vent his frustrations. He ended the season with a 13-17-8 record along with a 3.45 GAA and .897 Sv.%. If the Blue Jackets and freshly minted executive Don Waddell want to get a deal done, it's going to be tough considering Merzlikins' performance of late. He also has three years left on his contract at $5.4 million against the cap and holds a 10-team no-trade clause.

Waddell recently joined the Blue Jackets and was open about his feelings towards Merzlikins, stating his job is to get him to play the best possible hockey he can. Waddell didn't mention anything about the netminder being available for trade.

The Blue Jackets enter the offseason looking to find some relevancy in the Eastern Conference. They are expected to re-tool and continue to rebuild on the fly and are hoping to somehow creep into the playoff picture next season.

Waddell has $23.4 million in cap space to work with this summer and the team is reportedly interested in trading for Carolina Hurricanes forward Martin Necas. Lots going on this summer for the Blue Jackets as their fan base is craving some more wins.