Elvis Merzlikins has suddenly entered Jim Hiller's picture as the Maple Leafs work through a potential blockbuster with Columbus.
A breaking report from Leafslatest, citing Elliotte Friedman, says Merzlikins is set to be part of Toronto's return in a proposed deal involving Matthew Knies and Kirill Marchenko.
Nothing is official yet. Reports around the talks indicate Toronto and Columbus are still working through multiple pieces, making this a developing trade situation rather than a completed move.
The Merzlikins component adds another layer because the Columbus goaltender is currently sidelined indefinitely with a shoulder injury, according to the report supplied with the story.
"I believe Toronto is taking Elvis Merzlikins if this goes through"
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"BREAKING: Elvis Merzlikins will be traded to Toronto as part of the Marchenko-Knies trade if it goes through. He's currently out indefinitely with a shoulder injury"
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Toronto also isn't entering these discussions with an empty crease. The Maple Leafs added Sergei Bobrovsky during the offseason, giving Hiller an established No. 1 option heading into the new season. NHL
Merzlikins appeared in 30 games for Columbus last season, finishing with a 3.40 goals-against average and an .883 save percentage. His record was 14-11-3.
Merzlikins changes the shape of a Knies deal
Those numbers make his inclusion more than a throw-in. Toronto would potentially be taking on an injured goaltender while moving Knies, one of the major pieces being discussed in the proposed package.
The bigger target remains Marchenko. Reports Monday indicated Columbus had given Toronto permission to speak with the winger about an extension while the clubs continued discussing the structure of a trade.
That matters because moving Knies would represent a major roster decision. Toronto isn't simply shopping around the edges of its lineup if the 23-year-old winger is going the other way.
There's also urgency around the discussions. Toronto opens its regular season Tuesday against the Montréal Canadiens at Scotiabank Arena, leaving Hiller little runway to reset his lineup if a major deal lands. NHL
For now, Merzlikins' reported inclusion makes an already significant negotiation more complicated. His shoulder injury, Toronto's existing goaltending setup and the other pieces involved all have to fit.
The headline remains Marchenko for Knies. But if Merzlikins is heading to Toronto too, this is becoming a much larger roster move than a straight swap.
Should the Maple Leafs trade Matthew Knies in a package for Kirill Marchenko and Elvis Merzlikins?
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Leafs acquire Kirill Marchenko: Insider unveils what Toronto's sending Columbus to acquire Russian goal-scorer
