Elvis
Merzlikins
G · TOR · Below average
- PAL
- 38
- WAR
- -0.6
- Value
- 30
- SV%
- .883
2025-26№ 76 / 98
Elvis Merzlikins (Toronto Maple Leafs) stats and profile: offensive production, ice time, advanced stats, WAR and PAL rating.
Elvis Merzlikins
HEIGHT : 191 cm · WEIGHT : 86 kg · CATCHES : L
Born : April 12, 1994 · Riga, Latvia
Drafted : 2014 · CBJ · round 3, pick #76
Contract : $5,400,000 · 2022-23 → 2026-27 · Standard Contract (Extension) · UFAM-NTC
NHL record
| Year | Team | GP | W | L | GAA | SV% | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | Columbus Blue Jackets | 30 | 14 | 11 | 3.40 | .883 | 1 |
| 2024-25 | Columbus Blue Jackets | 53 | 26 | 21 | 3.18 | .892 | 1 |
| 2023-24 | Columbus Blue Jackets | 41 | 13 | 17 | 3.45 | .897 | 1 |
| 2022-23 | Columbus Blue Jackets | 30 | 7 | 18 | 4.23 | .876 | 0 |
| 2021-22 | Columbus Blue Jackets | 59 | 27 | 23 | 3.22 | .907 | 2 |
| 2020-21 | Columbus Blue Jackets | 28 | 8 | 12 | 2.77 | .916 | 2 |
| 2019-20 | Columbus Blue Jackets | 33 | 13 | 9 | 2.35 | .923 | 5 |
| NHL totals | 274 | 108 | 111 | 3.22 | .900 | 12 | |
Playoffs
| Year | Team | GP | W | L | GAA | SV% | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-20 | Columbus Blue Jackets | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1.96 | .946 | 0 |
| Playoff totals | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1.96 | .946 | 0 | |
Elvis Merzlikins: our analysis
2025-26 season: 30 GP, 14 W, 11 L, .883 SV%, 3.40 GAA, 1 SO. WAR -0.6 (76th of 98) · PAL 38, below average.
In 2025-26, Elvis Merzlikins, 32, posts a PAL Rating of 38 out of 100 (below average), and his WAR of -0.6 ranks 76th among 98 regulars, in the bottom quarter.
His strengths: high danger (84, well above average). On the other hand, impact (24, well below average) and efficiency (26, below average) hold him back.
GSAx: -8.3 (goals saved above expected).
A marked decline: his PAL was 46 in 2024-25, against 38 now; his WAR went from -0.4 to -0.6.
Contract-wise, his Value score of 30 (poor return) weighs his output against what he costs: 50 is what that salary should buy.
Elvis Merzlikins's story
Growing up in Riga, Merzļikins left Latvia early to join HC Lugano’s system and obtained a Swiss player licence that opened the door to National League play without occupying an import slot. He broke into Lugano’s top team in 2013–14 and was rewarded that season as the league’s most notable newcomer, a sign that he had settled quickly at the pro level.
Selected 76th overall by Columbus in the 2014 NHL Draft, Merzļikins chose to remain in Switzerland to continue his development. He established himself over several seasons with Lugano, leading the NL in saves in 2015–16 and backstopping the club to the league final; his work that year earned him the Jacques Plante Trophy as the league’s top goaltender. He claimed the same award again after the 2017–18 campaign.
In March 2019 he moved to North America, signing an entry-level deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets and joining the team for the remainder of their season. His NHL career began in October 2019; after initial struggles he notched his first NHL victory on 31 December 2019 and recorded his first shutout on 11 January 2020. Those achievements contributed to his selection to the NHL All-Rookie Team for 2019–20.
Columbus extended his contract in April 2020 and again in September 2021, entrusting him with a starting role across several seasons. While he enjoyed stretches of high performance, later campaigns included inconsistent numbers and missed time, prompting organisational changes aimed at restoring his earlier form.
Internationally, Merzļikins has represented Latvia at junior World Championships and at senior World Championship tournaments, including appearances in 2016, 2017 and 2018 where he delivered notably strong statistics in the 2018 edition.
Facts drawn from Wikipédia, told in our own words.
Advanced stats
- Starts
- 29
- Shots against
- 812
- Saves
- 717
- %ARR / SV%
- 88.3 %
Stats and photos: NHL (NHL.com)
Trend
Trend
Stable
- Goals saved above expected per 100 shots: -2.16 in 22-23, -0.66 in 25-26
- PAL Rating: 46 → 38
Outlook, age included
→ StableAge 32: prime years
The trend is a hint, not a verdict. It reads recent seasons and PAL Rating (age only shapes the outlook); it knows nothing about future injuries, trades, or the defense in front of the goalie.
Player ratings
All ratings →Fourteen ratings from 0 to 100 drawn from data, never by hand: 75 = established NHL player, 95+ = elite.
Injured reserve· Shoulder· expected back March 30
WAR and PAL ratings, 2025-26
How we rate →PAL Rating scores performance from 0 to 100 against players at the same position (50 = average player), starting from the player's strength, offensive or defensive. Value Rating compares that performance with what the player costs: 50 means paid what the play is worth.
WAR
-0.6
wins above replacement
76 of 98
PAL Rating
38/ 100
Performance · Below average
44 of 74 at the position
Value Rating
30/ 100
Poor return
5.40 M$ · expected PAL 56
See full detailsHide details
- Efficiency
- 26
- Impact
- 24
- High danger
- 84
- Consistency
- 45
- Workload
- 29
From 0 to 100; 50 is the average player at the same position, adjusted for ice time.
| Season | Team | WAR | PAL | Value | Cap hit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | CBJ | -0.6 | 38 | 30 | 5.40 M$ |
| 2024-25 | CBJ | -0.4 | 46 | 28 | 5.40 M$ |
| 2023-24 | CBJ | 1.2 | 54 | 46 | 5.40 M$ |
| 2022-23 | CBJ | -4.0 | 1 | 1 | 5.40 M$ |
WAR, 2025-26
How it's calculated →Wins added to the team, compared with a replacement-level player called up from the AHL.
-0.6
wins above replacement
-3.1 to 2.5 — 90% interval
76 of 98 goalies
-2.9 goals above replacement
Full leaderboard →See full detailsHide details
- Goals saved above expected
- -8.3
- Average → replacement
- +5.4
In goals.
| Season | Team | GP | WAR | 90% interval | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | CBJ | 30 | -0.6 | -3.1 to 2.5 | 76/98 |
| 2024-25 | CBJ | 52 | -0.4 | -3.2 to 2.7 | 72/99 |
| 2023-24 | CBJ | 41 | 1.2 | -0.5 to 3.3 | 37/98 |
| 2022-23 | CBJ | 30 | -4.0 | -6.8 to -2.1 | 106/107 |
Player tracking (NHL EDGE)
League EDGE leaderboards →NHL EDGE tracks every shot with a chip in the puck: where it came from, how dangerous it was, and what the goalie did with it. The percentile places the goalie within the league.
- Save %
- .88317th percentileleague avg. .896
- High-danger save %
- .83175th percentileleague avg. .811
- Games above .900
- 41.4 %27th percentileleague avg. 49.0 %
See full detailsHide details
- Goal support per game
- 3.4083rd percentileleague avg. 2.99
- Goal differential per 60
- 0.0047th percentileleague avg. 0.11
Save % by zone
2025-2026 regular season. Measured by puck and player tracking chips; the percentile ranks the player within the league.
Game log, 2025-26
CAR
SJS
SEA
FLA
TBL
UTA
NSH
NYR
BOS
NJD
CHI
PHI
OTT
PIT
VAN
COL
ANA
DET
WSH
WPG
NYI
DAL
MINElvis Merzlikins: frequently asked questions
What is Elvis Merzlikins's record in 2025-26?
Elvis Merzlikins has 14 wins in 30 games in 2025-26, with a .883 save percentage and a 3.40 goals-against average.
How old is Elvis Merzlikins?
Elvis Merzlikins is 32 years old: he was born on April 13, 1994.
How tall is Elvis Merzlikins, and how much does he weigh?
Elvis Merzlikins is 6'3" (191 cm) and weighs 190 lb (86 kg).
Where is Elvis Merzlikins from?
Latvia: Elvis Merzlikins was born in Riga, Latvia.
What team does Elvis Merzlikins play for?
Elvis Merzlikins plays for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the NHL, at G, wearing number 30.
Is Elvis Merzlikins injured?
Yes: Elvis Merzlikins is on injured reserve (shoulder). He is expected back around March 30.
How good is Elvis Merzlikins?
Elvis Merzlikins produced -0.6 wins above replacement (WAR) in 2025-26, 76th of 98 players at his position in the NHL. His PAL rating is 38 out of 100: below average for his position.
How much does Elvis Merzlikins make?
Elvis Merzlikins earns $5.4M for the 2025-26 season. His Value Rating is 30 out of 100 (poor return): it measures the on-field return for that salary, compared with players at his position.
When does Elvis Merzlikins's contract end?
Elvis Merzlikins's contract runs through the 2026-27 season; he will then be an unrestricted free agent. It includes a M-NTC clause.
Is Elvis Merzlikins overpaid?
Yes, his output falls short of what his salary should buy. His Value rating is 30 out of 100 (poor return), where 50 is the output expected for his salary, compared with players at his position.
Is Elvis Merzlikins a top-10 player at his position?
No: by WAR, he ranks 76th of 98 players at his position in the NHL in 2025-26. Our comparison tool puts him side by side with any other player.
Is Elvis Merzlikins getting better?
No, he is slipping: his PAL rating went from 46 in 2024-25 to 38 in 2025-26 (out of 100, 50 = average player at his position).
What are Elvis Merzlikins's career stats?
Over his NHL career, Elvis Merzlikins has 274 games, 108 wins and 12 shutouts. His best season: 2021-22, with 27 wins.
Where was Elvis Merzlikins drafted?
Elvis Merzlikins was drafted 76th overall (round 3) by Columbus Blue Jackets in 2014.
How does Elvis Merzlikins perform in the playoffs?
In the playoffs, Elvis Merzlikins has 2 games and 1 win in his career.
Does Elvis Merzlikins have siblings?
Yes: his younger brother of a former teammate Matthew Gaudreau (younger brother of Johnny Gaudreau; died in August 2024).
Is Elvis Merzlikins related to anyone famous?
Yes: Matīss Kivlenieks (teammate, Blue Jackets goaltender; died in a fireworks accident on 4 July 2021); Johnny Gaudreau (former teammate, former teammate; died in August 2024 (name given to second son)).
What is Elvis Merzlikins's nationality?
Elvis Merzlikins is Latvian. Internationally: Represented Latvia at junior and senior levels: World Junior Championships 2012 and 2013 (junior), IIHF World Championships 2016 (senior debut vs Sweden), 2017 and 2018 (2018: 1.50 GAA and .940 SV% in six games).
What awards has Elvis Merzlikins won?
Jacques Plante Trophy as NL Best Goaltender: 2016 ; Jacques Plante Trophy as NL Best Goaltender: 2018 ; Spengler Cup all-star team: 2016 ; NL Media Most Improved Player: end of 2013–14 season ; NL Youngster of the Year: end of 2013–14 season ; Named to the NHL All-Rookie Team: 2019–20 season.
Where did Elvis Merzlikins play before turning pro?
HC Lugano (joined in 2009; NL debut in 2012–13; final season under contract 2018–19).
See also: his Toronto Maple Leafs teammates
Full roster →
NHL.com ↗ · Stats and photos: NHL (NHL.com)