Merzlikins lists Ohio home for sale — signs of departure from Columbus?

Latvian ice hockey goaltender Elvis Merzlikins, currently recovering from a shoulder injury, has listed his house in New Albany, Ohio for sale. The property is listed on real estate website Redfin for 2.9 million US dollars, or roughly 2.54 million euros.

Merzlikins bought the nearly 560-square-meter home in 2022 for 1.839 million dollars, meaning he stands to profit about a million dollars above the purchase price if it sells at the asking price. The listing describes a pool, four bedrooms, three bathrooms and a fully equipped kitchen among other features.

Uncertain future

The goaltender bought the property shortly after signing the most lucrative contract of his career with the Columbus Blue Jackets — a five-year deal worth 27 million dollars. This is the final year of that contract. For the past two summers, Merzlikins has spent time with his family in Lugano, Switzerland, where he played hockey before moving to the NHL.

During the offseason, Merzlikins underwent surgery for a shoulder injury, and the team's coach and general manager have not specified when he might return to the lineup. At the end of last season, in a post-season interview, he pledged to the club's management that he would work hard over the summer to be in good shape for the new season — but the opposite happened.

Neither Merzlikins nor his agent have publicly commented on the reasons for selling the house, though in North America such a move is often associated with speculation about a player seeking a new team and closing out his current chapter. During the offseason, the Blue Jackets signed a new contract with goaltender Jet Greaves, who outperformed Merzlikins last season, and also brought in veteran Cam Talbot while the Latvian was sidelined by injury. The new NHL season begins on the night of September 30.