Elvis Merzlikins signs a lucrative contract extension with the Columbus Blue Jackets

The Columbus Blue Jackets announced that they have extended goalie Elvis Merzlikins' contract for five seasons, worth $5.4 million annually.

The Latvian goaltender will now be the 13th highest paid goaltender in the NHL with this pact. The Columbus Blue Jackets obviously have high expectations for the 27-year-old by offering him such a lucrative contract.

Merzlikins will be entering his prime years so he should be enjoying the best time of his career. However, the Jackets have embarked on a youthful, reset-style move, which may not help the goalie's stats.

Merzlikins will have some extra motivation this season though, as he has promised himself that he will win the Vezina Trophy for his late friend Matiss Kivlenieks.

In 61 NHL games, he has 21 wins, a 2.54 goals against average and a .920 save percentage. He also collected seven shutouts along the way. There is no doubt that he will be the future of the Blue Jackets in net.

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