Lost in the fray of what originally was the Jordan Weal and Brian O'Neill training camp exposé, has been the performance of that of Michael Mersch. He may not have been one of the names people were talking about at the start of camp, but by the end he certainly has been.
Why?
Well, besides being really good, it has been about WHERE he has been good. Particularly in the offensive zone.
While the 22-year-old has his work cut out for him in making the opening night roster, he has done about the best job possible in making the decision hard on management. Due to his waiver exemption, the Kings are more than likely sending him to Ontario in favor of guys like Andreoff and Shore. Both of those players have had equally worth camps worth noting. As has the entire fourth line of Clifford and Nolan. This last Saturday's game in Vegas was essentially an entire highlight reel comprised of the fourth line.
They were flat out dominant against Colorado.
But in terms of Mersch, he has done all you can do. While his defensive positioning and play has yet to really be put to the full measure, he has shown some very simple, yet effective plays in the offensive zone that are promising.
Simple and effective. What coaches deem "The little things"
In a small sampling of the Anaheim Ducks game back on September 29th, we got a taste of what that means. This was arguably the former Wisconsin Badger's best game of the preseason. He finished up the night with a 58% corsi for, an even split on zone starts, and an overall pleasing game stylistically speaking.
At 6'2", Mersch is not a monster to handle physically, but he is determined and shifty in front of the net.
When we talk about little things, it usually has to do with being in the right areas. Put yourself in the right places and good things happen. In the small sampling of the Anaheim Ducks game we saw this. Here are a few key plays:
The original play came from an opportunity created by Mersch, after the shot he stationed himself in front to create traffic on the second chance opportunity. Notice how he has boxed out the defender.
View post on imgur.com
Next play.
View post on imgur.com
Mersch sees the traffic, but finds space in the high slot. With his release, if that puck gets on his stick it is immediately going on net for a rebound/scoring opportunity for his man stationed in front. Key thing here? He found the space. This is a key play. There are three to four Anaheim bodies right near him, and in this play he was able to find a seam.
In this next play, we see the end result of Mersch isolating a defender 1v1. Instead of taking a shot form a lower scoring area, he takes the defender one on one and drives the net. He does this from an outside lane, essentially going from a lower scoring area to a high one.
View post on imgur.com
This one here is fairly minor, but altogether encouraging. This play resulted off a faceoff wherein Mersch was asked to possess the puck on the boards. Puck possession is a key to the Kings game, and winning these board battles is paramount. Mersch is aware of his outlets, holds the puck, and creates space for other players with this. On this play, he was able to outlet the puck to Lucic, who passed to Martinez for a scoring opportunity. Little things.
View post on imgur.com
This is as much systemic as anything. However, you need the players to execute things like this.
This was a small sampling of Mersch's ability, but it was a good example of why the Kings, and why Kings fans, should be so high on him. He is a simple North-South player who has one thing in mind: Get to the net. Pucks on net. Bodies on net. He showed a consistent and determined mind in this all throughout preseason, and it put him on a lot of people's radars. While he may not have the inside track of making the team at this point, more of this along with some defensive improvement perhaps will get him on this team sooner rather than later. Maybe the Kings surprise us and decide to keep the Illinois native to start the year.
If he does get sent to Ontario, keep a sharp eye on this aspect of his game. From an organizational standpoint, he is a player that perfectly embodies some of the key elements of the Kings and Darryl Sutter's system. Not bad for a fourth round selection right?
Where he lands to start the year will likely be decided in the next 12-48 hours, (maybe sooner). However, this is not the last you will hear of Michael Mersch this season.
Follow me on twitter for news and notes about the Kings and the NHL
Also be sure to like HockeyBuzz on facebook!
Los Angeles Kings Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»