Toronto Maple Leafs general manager John Chayka said Tuesday that newly acquired goaltender Elvis Merzlikins is out another three-to-five months after undergoing shoulder surgery earlier this off-season.
Merzlikins was acquired Monday in the blockbuster that saw the Maple Leafs land centrepiece Kirill Marchenko as well as forward Miles Wood from the Columbus Blue Jackets for forwards Matthew Knies and Steven Lorentz, defenceman Emil Andrae and a 2027 second-round pick.
Chayka added Tuesday that Wood will start the season with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies. The 31-year-old winger, who posted eight goals and 14 points in 54 games with Columbus last season, is signed through the 2028-29 season at a cap hit of $2.5 million.
The Blue Jackets had not previously revealed a timeline on Merzlikins, who had surgery in August. The 32-year-old netminder had a 14-11-3 record with the Blue Jackets last season with an .883 save percentage and 3.40 goals-against average.
Merzlikins is entering the final season of a five-year, $27 million contract that carries a cap hit of $5.4 million. He is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2026-27 campaign.
It remains unclear if Marchenko will make his Maple Leafs debut as the team opens the season on Tuesday. Chayka said the team is hopeful he will face the Montreal Canadiens but his status remains to be determined as he works through receiving his work visa.
