3 Potential Trade Destinations for Elvis Merzlikins

The Columbus Blue Jackets are working the phones looking to give goaltender Elvis Merzlikins a change of scenery. The two sides have agreed that a change is needed as Merzlikins is not happy about losing his starting job recently.

There's a number of teams looking for goaltending depth, however Merzlikins is under contract for the next three seasons at $5.4 million, which surely complicates the matter. The Latvian netminder does hold a 10-team no-trade clause and has a little bit of control in the matter. Here's three teams to watch out for as a trade is expected any day:

New Jersey Devils

The Devils have managed to stay competitive this season despite losing #1 defenseman Dougie Hamilton to a long-term injury and without any consistent goaltending. GM Tom Fitzgerald would love to get his hands on a #1 with team security and has looked into Merzlikins and Anaheim Ducks goaltender John Gibson. Gibson recently went down with injury, leaving Merzlikins as perhaps the lone option besides maybe Jakob Markstrom in Calgary.

Edmonton Oilers

There was some talk earlier this season about a Jack Campbell ++ swap for Merzlikins, but those talks have fizzled out in a big way thanks to Campbell not being able to hold a starting job in Edmonton. The Oilers have some prospects they are willing to part with but it's the financial side of the deal that could be complicated. We'll have to wait and see if the Blue Jackets are willing to retain some salary and if so, the Oilers could be involved in advanced talks.

Carolina Hurricanes

The 'Canes can't keep their goalies healthy and now have a dyer need for a new number one. They only have Antti Raanta healthy at the moment, however have Frederik Andersen and Pyotr Kochetkov both signed for next season. It's all going to depend on how long Kochetkov is out for if they end up making a splash. Ownership and management have Cup aspirations this season so if they need a true number one, they'll get one, regardless of what next season may look like.

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