COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Blue Jackets have done their best to keep a lid on the fervor surrounding goaltender Elvis Merzlikins, hoping the emotional 25-year-old from Latvia can keep grounded even as his recent string of play is drawing headlines across the NHL.



But those who know the position best aren’t showing much restraint.



The Athletic contacted former NHL goaltenders Marty Biron, Darren Pang, Chico Resch and Kevin Weekes, as well as Michael Lawrence, who was Merzlikins’ longtime goaltending coach in Switzerland, to get their thoughts on his explosion onto the scene.



They didn’t hold back, raving about Merzlikins’ style of play, his energy, his competitiveness and his personality, which is making him a star attraction in Nationwide Arena and beyond.



Merzlikins, named the NHL’s second star of the week last week, is 8-2-0 with a .955 save percentage and 1.51 goals-against average since taking over as the Blue...