Blue Jackets & Golden Knights Linked To Offseason Trade

Keep an eye on the offseason trade market, as while action has slowed down of late for NHL transactions, it sounds like there could be a deal brewing between the Vegas Golden Knights and Columbus Blue Jackets.

The Golden Knights have been shopping goaltender Adin Hill and would love to try and land Elvis Merzlikins from the Blue Jackets in return. This trade would materialize into a bigger package than just a goalie swap, but this is the first time in the offseason that Hill's been linked to a destination.

Hill's signed through the 2031 season at $6.2 million, and owns a 10-team no-trade list. Last season,  Hill posted a 10-9-6 record, along with an .871 save percentage, and 3.04 goals against average. The Golden Knights added Carter Hart last season and he ran away with the starter's job, as he looks to reset his NHL career. Vegas needs to move Hill's contract to get into better financial shape, and with Merzlikins being a pending unrestricted free agent, it's certainly an option should the Blue Jackets want to add a Stanley Cup champion, experienced goaltender in Hill.

The Blue Jackets have over $13 million in cap space, so lots of resources to work with. Merzlikins has been linked to trade speculation for the past two seasons and with the team having Jet Greaves, it makes you wonder about the potential of a Hill deal. 

As for Merzlikins, expect this to be his last year in Columbus, one way or another. He's set to earn $5.4 million AAV, and is coming off a year where he posted a 14-11-3 record, along with a .883 save percentage, and 3.40 goals against average. 

It feels like if this trade goes down between these two clubs, there's going to be much more involved than two goaltenders, both looking for a change of scenery.