Toronto Maple Leafs announce major LTIR move that opens up $5.4 million in cap space

The Toronto Maple Leafs just found out their newest goaltender won't be helping anytime soon.

General manager John Chayka said Tuesday that Elvis Merzlikins is expected to miss another three to five months while he recovers from shoulder surgery, and he will be placed on long-term injured reserve.

The news comes one day after Toronto pulled off a blockbuster with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The Leafs landed winger Kirill Marchenko, forward Miles Wood and Merzlikins.

Columbus received Matthew Knies, Steven Lorentz, Emil Andrae and a 2027 second-round pick.

The Blue Jackets never shared a recovery timeline after the 32-year-old had surgery in August, so Tuesday marked the first real update.

Columbus is also retaining 18 percent of his salary.

Merzlikins is in the final year of a five-year, $27 million contract that carries a $5.4 million cap hit.

He's scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2026-27 season.

Last year in Columbus, he went 14-11-3 with an .883 save percentage and a 3.40 goals-against average.

Reports around the trade suggest he was added mostly to help with the cap math, and the LTIR move fits that picture.

Still, the Leafs now have to get through the opening stretch with the goalies already on the roster.

A three to five month, maybe six month window puts his return somewhere between late December and late March.

Marchenko's arrival gives Toronto a lot to be excited about, but the crease is now the story to watch.

Depth in net will matter early, and Chayka will be under pressure to keep it steady while Merzlikins heals.

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