"Viņš neizgāja medicīniskās pārbaudes. Nenospraudīsim konkrētu termiņu. Tuvākajā nākotnē viņu neredzēsiet, tas gan ir skaidrs," teica komandas ģenerālmenedžeris Dons Vadels.

Augusta vidū tika paziņots, ka 32 gadus vecais Elvis Merzļikins pārcietis pleca operāciju.

Gaidāmā sezona būs noslēdzošā Merzļikina piecu gadu līgumā ar Kolumbusas "Blue Jackets", kas paredz 5,4 miljonu dolāru algu.

Merzļikins pagājušajā sezonā piedalījās 30 spēlēs un atvairīja 88,3% metienu, kā arī vidēji ielaida 3,40 ripas un izcīnīja vienu sauso uzvaru.

Viņš februārī sargāja Latvijas izlases vārtus Milānas olimpiskajās spēlēs, uz ledus dodoties divos mačos un atvairot 85,0% metienu.

Gaidāmā sezona būs astotā Merzļikina NHL karjerā.

Waddell on Elvis Merzlikins: “He failed his physical. We’re not going to put a time on it. You’re not going to see him in the near future, that’s for sure.” #CBJ

— Mark Scheig (@mark_scheig) September 16, 2026

“You’re not gonna see him in the near future, that’s for sure.” — Waddell on Elvis Merzlikins.

Confirms Elvis failed his physical today and remains out for a while. #CBJ

— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) September 16, 2026

#CBJ Elvis Merzlikins failed his physical today, as expected, following shoulder surgery last month in Vail, Colo.
No timeline provided by GM Don Waddell, but … “we’re not going to see him here in the near future.”

— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) September 16, 2026

#CBJ GM Don Waddell reveals we won’t see Elvis Merzlikins “in the near future” here in Columbus.

Mentioned they did feel comfortable with Jet Greaves, Phoenix Copley, and also recently signed Cam Talbot as well.

— Wes Minke (@MinkePxP) September 16, 2026