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2025 Fantasy Outlook
In a vacuum, Merzlikins' 2024-25 numbers -- a 26-21-5 record, a 3.18 GAA and a .892 save percentage -- were nothing all that impressive. In context, however, he looks much better as a goalie who had the Blue Jackets in the playoff race right up to the final week of the season. Merzlikins is under contract for this year and next, so it's fair to assume he'll be part of the NHL roster in 2025-26. The bigger question is at the backup position, as a strong finish to the year from Jet Greaves. Merzlikins' track record as a starter is not great, though the Blue Jackets have been rebuilding for much of his NHL career. Still, expecting a breakout in his age-31 season is probably asking too much. Read Past Outlooks

Starting Saturday
Merzlikins will patrol the visiting cease in Washington on Saturday, Aaron Portzline of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
Merzlikins is in a battle for the No. 1 job with the Blue Jackets, as Jet Greaves has been pushing the Russian veteran all training camp. Merzlikins made 53 regular-season appearances for Columbus last season, going 26-21-5 with a 3.18 GAA and an .892 save percentage.
Merzlikins is in a battle for the No. 1 job with the Blue Jackets, as Jet Greaves has been pushing the Russian veteran all training camp. Merzlikins made 53 regular-season appearances for Columbus last season, going 26-21-5 with a 3.18 GAA and an .892 save percentage.
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Past Fantasy Outlooks
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Merzlikins had quite a season in 2023-24. Some nights, he was unbeatable - others, bad doesn't describe how poorly he played. In between, there was a media storm from a so-called trade request and public rifts with upper management. All while playing behind a horrendous team. Merzlikins has never been the goalie he was in his rookie season. His play has declined almost every season, and in 2023-24, he went 13-17-8 with a 3.45 GAA and .897 save percentage. The leash on Merzlikins will be short this season, if he's not traded before camp. It'll be tough to move a declining asset with three more years on a $5.4 million AAV deal. Daniil Tarasov will push to be the starter, and that will further stress the situation. Stay away on draft day, but pop some corn and watch the show from afar.
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Will start Saturday
Merzlikins will be between the pipes on the road against the Penguins on Saturday, Aaron Portzline of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
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Tending twine Monday
Merzlikins will be between the home pipes for Monday's exhibition game versus the Sabres, per Jeff Svoboda of the Blue Jackets' official site.
ANALYSIS
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Ready to rock for camp
Merzlikins (concussion) is not listed with an injury on the Blue Jackets' training camp roster released Wednesday, Mark Scheig of The Hockey Writers reports.
ANALYSIS
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Not available for Thursday's game
Head coach Dean Evason said that Merzlikins (upper body) skated Wednesday but won't be available for Thursday's regular-season finale against the Islanders, Mark Scheig of The Hockey Writers reports.
ANALYSIS
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Not available Tuesday
Merzlikins (upper body) will not be an option for Tuesday's divisional matchup in Philadelphia, per Jeff Svoboda of the Blue Jackets' official site.
ANALYSIS
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Manning starter's crease
Merzlikins was in the starter's crease at Tuesday's practice session, Mark Scheig of The Hockey Writers reports.
ANALYSIS
Merzlikins hasn't been officially confirmed as the Opening Night starter against the Predators on Thursday, but this is certainly a strong indicator he will get the nod. While the 31-year-old netminder played in 53 regular-season games last year, he may not see that much work in 2025-26 due to the emergence of Jet Greaves, who will be looking to steal starts throughout the year.
Merzlikins hasn't been officially confirmed as the Opening Night starter against the Predators on Thursday, but this is certainly a strong indicator he will get the nod. While the 31-year-old netminder played in 53 regular-season games last year, he may not see that much work in 2025-26 due to the emergence of Jet Greaves, who will be looking to steal starts throughout the year.