Elvis Merzlikins is still without a timetable after shoulder surgery, and that has pushed the Blue Jackets into the market for another goaltender as camp approaches.
Columbus had already announced that Merzlikins underwent the procedure on Aug. 17 after he felt discomfort during offseason workouts. For now, the message from GM Don Waddell is simple: there is no date attached to a return.
“No timeline,” Waddell said. “He went and saw the doctor (recently.)
Once he gets in here, he’ll be here for the opening of camp. We’ll update it as we get closer.”
That uncertainty has left the Blue Jackets planning for life without him, at least to start. Waddell said the club expects to add a goalie at some point, and he also mentioned Fantilli as part of the roster picture.
“We’re probably going to be pretty close to a cap team when all this gets done,” Waddell said. “We’re going to add a goalie too at some point, along with Fantilli.”
Waddell said Merzlikins and Isac Lundestrom are the only players who won’t be ready for the very start of camp. Lundestrom’s timeline of sometime in November remains unchanged for now.
As for tryouts, Waddell said no PTOs have been signed yet, but multiple players are expected to come in on PTOs at every position, including a goaltender.
For the moment, Jet Greaves and Pheonix Copley are still lined up as the Blue Jackets’ goaltending duo to open the season while Merzlikins stays out indefinitely. A clearer picture may come once camp gets going.
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