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Zach Werenski wasted no time Thursday finding the scoresheet in Milan. (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Blue Jackets News & Rumors: Werenski, Merzlikins & More

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers | By Mark Scheig | Last updated Feb 13, 2026 9:55 AM ET

For the Columbus Blue Jackets‘ duo of Zach Werenski and Elvis Merzlikins, their lifelong dream was finally realized when they took the ice for the first time on Thursday at the Winter Olympics. In their cases, they played against each other when Team U.S.A. played against Team Latvia.

Merzlikins drew the start in a game that would see Team U.S.A. heavily favored thanks to their depth, skill and experience. Team Latvia provided their share of NHL experience as well and would play an honest game.

Early on, the Latvians hung right in there thanks in part to some luck on a couple different fronts. But it was Werenski who helped get the Team U.S.A. party started.

Werenski Picks Up Where He Left Off

Werenski found Matthew Tkachuk who then found his brother Brady to make it 1-0 just 5:29 into the game. Right away, you could tell the defenseman was feeling at home on the big stage.

Whether it was crisp, decisive passes or the way he could create space with his smooth skating, Werenski made his presence known right away with an assist on the first goal. With Quinn Hughes now with Team U.S.A., it gives them a deeper and more dynamic look on the blueline with how their collective group can shut other teams down.

But if necessary, coach Mike Sullivan can put Hughes and Werenski together if there is a need for instant offense. This happened right after a Team U.S.A. penalty kill. The pair each quarterbacked their own power-play units on Thursday.

Werenski played mostly with Jake Sanderson on the third pair which shows just how deep Team U.S.A.’s blueline is. On top of assisting on the opening goal, Werenski finished with three shots on goal and now has seven assists since the start of the 4-Nations Faceoff.

Merzlikins’ Day

If there was going to be any chance for the Latvians to upset Team U.S.A., Merzlikins was going to have to be a reason. Thanks to some luck and a keen eye, the game stayed closed for just over 30 minutes.

Team U.S.A. had two goals taken away due to challenge. One was for offside and the other was for goaltender interference.

Quinn Hughes thought he scored. But as Team U.S.A. gained the zone, Brock Nelson, who scored twice in the game, was deemed offside.

Then J.T. Miller found himself in front of Merzlikins. Although there wasn’t a lot of contact, Miller entered the crease which was enough for the officials to wipe Nelson’s goal off. The Latvians took advantage of the situation.

Renars Krastenbergs beat Connor Hellebuyck to make it 1-1. The goal came just 1:56 after Brady Tkachuk’s goal.

The first period ended 1-1 with Merzlikins making 14 saves. It was a good start for him keeping his team in the game. The post also helped his cause along the way. Eventually though, the dam broke when Team U.S.A. took control of the game later in the second period.

Jack Hughes found Nelson to make it 2-1 midway through the second period. Team U.S.A. then added goals from Tage Thompson and then Nelson again near the end of the period on their way to a 17-2 shots advantage and a 4-1 lead.

Merzlikins was pulled after two periods after stopping 28 of 32. Arturs Silovs played the third period stopping five of six shots.

Merzlikins told NHL.com’s Dan Rosen that he got lucky early in the game.

Elvis Merzlikins on Latvia's two successful challenges:

"I mean I got lucky, yes. I got lucky with posts and I got lucky I have a good video coach who saved my butt two times. He has a good eye on it and I definitely owe him a dinner."
— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) February 12, 2026

Rosen also reported that Merzlikins being pulled from the game wasn’t injury related with the goaltender admitting that it was an attempt to change the energy at the time. All-in-all, Merzlikins did what he could to keep the Latvians in the game but Team U.S.A.’s overwhelming second period proved to be too much to overcome.

Next up for both Werenski and Merzlikins are a set of back-to-back games on the weekend. Team U.S.A. will play Denmark on Saturday and then Germany on Sunday with both games starting just after 3:00 P.M. Columbus time. Team Latvia will play Germany on Saturday and then Denmark on Sunday with Saturday’s game a 6:00 A.M. eastern start and Sunday’s game a 1:00 P.M. eastern start.

Side Dishes

According to a report from James Murphy of The RG Media, the Blue Jackets have indicated to other teams that Boone Jenner, Mason Marchment and Charlie Coyle are off the trade market with the intention of signing them to extensions. Given their current 11-1 run, this comes as no surprise. This Olympic break was always seen as the time that GM Don Waddell would have discussions to see what could get done. What remains to be seen is how aggressive the Blue Jackets will handle the trade deadline.
The other bit of news to watch is if the Blue Jackets make progress with extensions on their notable RFA’s. This includes Adam Fantilli, Cole Sillinger and Jet Greaves among others. Waddell previously stated this time would be when discussions around Fantilli would take place again. While there is no rush to get something done right this second, being able to lock up one of their most important players is a high priority.
The Blue Jackets not at the Olympics will return to practice on Wednesday Feb 18 as teams will start ramping up activities before the resumption of the season. The team will practice Wednesday and Thursday, take Friday off and practice on the weekend. They resume their season Feb 26 in Boston against the Bruins in what is shaping up to be a massive game in the East playoff race.