The Columbus Blue Jackets signed goaltender and 2014 third-round pick Elvis Merzlikins to a one-year entry level contract on Wednesday afternoon.
Instead of going to AHL Cleveland, Aaron Portzline of The Athletic reported that Merzlikins leveraged his success with HC Lugano to force the CBJ’s hand and avoid signing a tryout agreement, bypassing Cleveland altogether. He’ll use the first year of his entry-level status for the rest of this season, practicing and training with the big club in Columbus. He’s not expected to see any action, but this would indicate a spot on the Blue Jackets’ roster next season.