Would The Columbus Blue Jackets Pull The Trigger On Buying Out Elvis Merzļikins?

27/06/2024

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The NHL buyout window opened yesterday and will close on June 30th at 5 pm Eastern. This time of year is always packed with moves to clear cap space and dump bad contracts.

For the Columbus Blue Jackets, there's really only one player who is a buyout candidate.

Don Waddell has said numerous times now that he can't trade Elvis Merzlikins' contract and that buying him out isn't an option. Waddell told The Athletic, “People say, ‘Well, why don’t you buy out the contract?’ It’s a six-year buyout, and there are years three, four, five, and six when you might need that cap space."

If we know anything about professional sports, it's that the GMs don't like to tip their hand, so let's say he does end up buying Merzļikins out, what would it look like?

As a reminder, Elvis Merzļikins signed a 5-year, $27 million contract on Sept. 21, 2021, shocking people who follow the Blue Jackets. Fast forward to now, and fans wonder how Columbus can move on from that contract.

So, what would a buyout look like?

If Merzļikins were bought out this weekend, he would be owed $10,500,000 of the $15,750,000 remaining on his contract. Per PuckPedia, "The age at the time of the buyout determines the buyout amount. For players that are 26 or older, a buyout is 2/3 of the remaining salary owed on the contract." Since Elvis is 30, he is eligible for the 67% buyout.

Cap Hit Per Year

2024-25 - $1,150,000
2025-26 - $1,625,000
2026-27 - $2,925,000
2027-28 - $1,750,000
2028-29 - $1,750,000
2029-30 - $1,750,000

As you can see from the numbers above, the buyout amounts per year could do some damage to the Jackets' cap, especially in year three. The 26-27 year could be big for the CBJ in terms of extending some young guys. Names like Fantilli, Chinakhov, and Brindley are all up for new deals. And then others like Jiricek and Svozil will be RFA as well. Not to mention any free agents they may want to sign.

So when Waddell said, "It’s a six-year buyout, and there are years three, four, five, and six when you might need that cap space," he has definitely been looking forward to the future.

Buying out Elvis Merzļikins is not in the best interest of the Blue Jackets at this time. Don Waddell says he's going to put his time and energy into getting Elvis back to his old self. It seems like he has no choice in the matter, but if Merzļikins can regain his old form, this would work out after all.

Of course, this could all be smoke and mirrors too, because as we know, NHL General Managers love to speak in riddles and keep things close to the vest.

What do you think about buying Elvis Merzļikins out? Please share your thoughts on our forum.

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