With their first of two third-rounders, the Jackets added another goaltender to the pipeline in Latvian ‘tender Elvis Merzlikins. He’s a member of Lugano of the Swiss League.
Scouting report and stats:
Elvis Merzlikins is a very athletic butterfly-Goaltender who is well sized and covers a lot of the net. He loves to challenge shooters and never gives up on a shot. Despite his decent reflexes, he is a goaltender who lets the puck hit him and control the rebounds. Needs to play a more composed game, as he tends to overplay certain situations. Handles the puck very well, as Elvis Merzlikins is a respectable stickhandler and can play long outlet passes. – Elite Prospects
There were some more familiar goaltending names available when Merzlikins was taken, but if nothing else he vaults to the top in terms of intriguing prospects in the pipeline. My guess here is that adding Merzlikins may mean Martin Ouellette doesn’t get signed.