Player Discussion: The Elvis Thread

[Fireball23]

So since Elvis is coming off a win, do you guys think it's safe to assume he gets the next start?

i would hope so. But Torts had stated its still his net. Now that first goal he let in was soft

 

[DarkandStormy]

31 Thoughts: Examining potential NHL fallout of COVID-19 - Sportsnet.ca

Sounds like Columbus and entertaining rookie Elvis Merzlikins are working on a contract extension.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

Seems rather interesting that we're trying to get it done now.

 

[Iron Balls McGinty]

Seems rather interesting that we're trying to get it done now.

Maybe Korpisalo’s first goal the other night was a little too soft.

Who knows. I guess we’ll find out.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

Maybe Korpisalo’s first goal the other night was a little too soft.

Who knows. I guess we’ll find out.

Lol.

Not that I'm against it or anything. I just wonder if we're negotiating with Korpi too. I don't see any reason to trade Korpi/Elvis unless someone knocks your socks off with an offer. They're both RFA's, both had injuries, both showed they could be a capable starter, and both went through rough patches in play (with Elvis being the highest and lowest of the bunch). I'd roll with both of them again next year.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

Heading into next season — whenever that may start — do you need to know that you’re the starter, could you be happy sharing the net with Korpisalo, or would you accept a backup’s role?

You give me now three options, which are really different options. It’s a difficult thing to talk about right now, with all that’s going on. I will keep working hard with Manny because I believe that one day he’s not going to make me just a great goalie, he’s gonna make me an awesome goalie. I really believe in Manny. I would not kind of accept being the backup because I know that I am better than that. Obviously there are no goalies who like to share the net. Everybody wants to be a starter. I don’t think even Korpi would agree that we have to share the net. It’s nothing against me and nothing against him. We are very good friends. I love Korpi, so I really have nothing against him. But that’s the situation. We really can’t control those things. We really don’t have to think about it. So let’s see when there is going to be a result to this, an answer to your question. Then you can maybe think and say something. Otherwise, the best we can do is shut up and sit and watch.

Elvis Merzlikins Q&A: Blue Jackets goalie dishes on his...

Other important tidbits:

1. According to Elvis' mother, Elvis had a very tough time in the locker room at the start of the season. Firstly, with not being the starter he felt like he failed. Secondly, when he was losing games at the start of the season he felt he had failed his mother, his girlfriend, and himself. He began doubting he could play at the NHL level.

2. He didn't feel like he belonged in the locker room, so he kept all of his thoughts and frustrations to himself. He said he didn't deserve their friendship with the results he was putting out there.

3. When Korpi got injured he told himself it was his last chance to make it in the NHL. If he fumbled this opportunity he was going back to Switzerland after the year was over.

4. In saying that, he felt a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. He knew he was going to play, so the pressure was off and he felt free again. He just wanted to go out and enjoy playing hockey and let the results speak for themselves.

5. Doubled down on being an outsider in the locker room at the start of the season. His mom would say nobody would even shake his hand. He felt like nobodies friend and just another guy you would say good morning to, but wouldn't actually know their name. This feeling started going away when the season started, using a bonding example of him bailing out David Savard if he makes a mistake, and Savard bailing out Elvis if he made one, and how that would bring them closer together.

6. Loves Torts as a coach because he values honesty a lot. He will tell you when you mess up and he won't beat around the bush about explaining it to you. Elvis also doesn't like to be complimented very much, and Torts respects that, but when he does compliment him it has meaning to it.

7. He received a lot of nasty hate mail, messages, and comments from people back home during his losing skid to start his career. But he tried his best to tune it out, even though it was mounting on top of the pressure he was putting on himself to succeed.

8. Believes he belongs in the NHL now, and his goal is to break the records of great goalies before him (mentions Rask, Fleury, Price) and believes Manny Legace can help get him there. He raves about Legace and how much trust he has in him. His ultimate goal is to get the most career shutouts in NHL history.

9. Lived downtown for almost a full year now, and didn't like it very much. Spends a lot of his free time at Easton. Now that he has moved to a home in Dublin outside of downtown, he loves it. Prefers Ohio to a place like New York because the people are friendlier, the traffic isn't as bad, and naturally a calmer atmosphere. Prefers the beaches of LA to both.

 

[Tonysil]

Sorry for the bump but I was wondering if you guys knew when Elvis might be coming back. I don't want to drop him in my 16 team league but I'm getting hit really hard by the postponements this week. I would love some insight.

 

[DJA]

Sorry for the bump but I was wondering if you guys knew when Elvis might be coming back. I don't want to drop him in my 16 team league but I'm getting hit really hard by the postponements this week. I would love some insight.

Should be activated off IR tomorrow

 

[Tonysil]

Should be activated off IR tomorrow

Thank you

 

[NotWendell]

I wonder if Elvis is like Bob in that he starts seasons slowly.

 

[DarkandStormy]

16% of his career starts have ended in a shutout.

 

[DJA]

 

[Madifer]

Elvis Merzlikins Q&A: Blue Jackets goalie dishes on his...

Other important tidbits:

1. According to Elvis' mother, Elvis had a very tough time in the locker room at the start of the season. Firstly, with not being the starter he felt like he failed. Secondly, when he was losing games at the start of the season he felt he had failed his mother, his girlfriend, and himself. He began doubting he could play at the NHL level.

2. He didn't feel like he belonged in the locker room, so he kept all of his thoughts and frustrations to himself. He said he didn't deserve their friendship with the results he was putting out there.

3. When Korpi got injured he told himself it was his last chance to make it in the NHL. If he fumbled this opportunity he was going back to Switzerland after the year was over.

4. In saying that, he felt a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. He knew he was going to play, so the pressure was off and he felt free again. He just wanted to go out and enjoy playing hockey and let the results speak for themselves.

5. Doubled down on being an outsider in the locker room at the start of the season. His mom would say nobody would even shake his hand. He felt like nobodies friend and just another guy you would say good morning to, but wouldn't actually know their name. This feeling started going away when the season started, using a bonding example of him bailing out David Savard if he makes a mistake, and Savard bailing out Elvis if he made one, and how that would bring them closer together.

6. Loves Torts as a coach because he values honesty a lot. He will tell you when you mess up and he won't beat around the bush about explaining it to you. Elvis also doesn't like to be complimented very much, and Torts respects that, but when he does compliment him it has meaning to it.

7. He received a lot of nasty hate mail, messages, and comments from people back home during his losing skid to start his career. But he tried his best to tune it out, even though it was mounting on top of the pressure he was putting on himself to succeed.

8. Believes he belongs in the NHL now, and his goal is to break the records of great goalies before him (mentions Rask, Fleury, Price) and believes Manny Legace can help get him there. He raves about Legace and how much trust he has in him. His ultimate goal is to get the most career shutouts in NHL history.

9. Lived downtown for almost a full year now, and didn't like it very much. Spends a lot of his free time at Easton. Now that he has moved to a home in Dublin outside of downtown, he loves it. Prefers Ohio to a place like New York because the people are friendlier, the traffic isn't as bad, and naturally a calmer atmosphere. Prefers the beaches of LA to both.

Could CBJ hire me to be his shrink please?

 

[LetsGOJackets!!]

I think having Manny Legace as his goalie coach gives him a guy that has been there and knows the territory. Elvis needs to cut down on the high risk low return moves and focus on stopping pucks. He is very good at stopping pucks.. when he stays in the net. I do love his personality - and when he gets on a roll this guy is really special.

 

[Iron Balls McGinty]

I think having Manny Legace as his goalie coach gives him a guy that has been there and knows the territory. Elvis needs to cut down on the high risk low return moves and focus on stopping pucks. He is very good at stopping pucks.. when he stays in the net. I do love his personality - and when he gets on a roll this guy is really special.

It sounds like you want Elvis to play like Korpisalo and never take any chances. That just isn't his style and personality.

I prefer Elvis be Elvis and just get comfortable playing in the NHL. He has a personality where he needs to be the man and is perhaps trying too hard at times to "win the job" but we've seen how he plays when he is in the net for a consistent length of time. His confidence and comfort level goes to another level. It doesn't matter if you are an NHL goalie or work in a mailroom, living in fear of making a mistake is never good for anyone.

 

[OldGoaltender]

As a one time goalie you have to take chance. You want to challenge the shooter and never be passive. When I think of great netminders Tretiak, Esposito, Roy and Hasek are the guys. These men took chances and would use their face to stop the puck if necessary.

 

[No ReGretzkys]

Will he be put on IR?

 

[CBJWerenski8]

Will he be put on IR?

Likely

 

[jonu]

As a one time goalie you have to take chance. You want to challenge the shooter and never be passive. When I think of great netminders Tretiak, Esposito, Roy and Hasek are the guys. These men took chances and would use their face to stop the puck if necessary.

As a onetime not so old goaltender you have to play the %. Playing goalie now is you take the best % play that is in front of you and roll with it, sometimes its challenging the shooter or sometimes its playing passive and sometimes you Hasek it.

 

[Iron Balls McGinty]

fWIW, it looks like Elvis was on the ice before practice and according to his IG that is traveling with the team to Dallas. Hopefully he’s back sooner rather than later.

 

[Jovavic]

fWIW, it looks like Elvis was on the ice before practice and according to his IG that is traveling with the team to Dallas. Hopefully he’s back sooner rather than later.

That's good but hopefully Korpi can string a few solid games in a row so his return isn't a pressing need and Torts throws him out there before he's ready.

 

[DarkandStormy]

Elvis now has 7 shutouts in 51 career NHL starts. That's T-3rd in the entire league since the start of 2019-2020, though he's done it in far fewer starts. Put another way, he has the greatest # of his starts resulting in a shutout than any other goalie in the league since he started playing in the NHL.

His NHL career save % is now .920, T-8th since he came into the league.

Pretty damn good.

 

[Iron Balls McGinty]

Elvis now has 7 shutouts in 51 career NHL starts. That's T-3rd in the entire league since the start of 2019-2020, though he's done it in far fewer starts. Put another way, he has the greatest # of his starts resulting in a shutout than any other goalie in the league since he started playing in the NHL.

His NHL career save % is now .920, T-8th since he came into the league.

Pretty damn good.

And he I thought he was a sh*tty goalie.

 

[LetsGOJackets!!]

Elvis.. you gave me a little bit of joy last night watching you get the shutout. Let me remind you that our intentions are to lose so that we draft higher. The little balls in the hopper have not been kind to the CBJ. That said, it was really fun to watch you play last night.

 

[CBJWerenski8]