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With absolutely nothing happening in the hockey world right now, and for the foreseeable future, I’ve decided to take the plunge and write player profiles for each member of the New Jersey Devils.
As was the case when I did them last summer, we’ll be looking at the season they just put together and expectations moving forward.
I’ve written up 21 players thus far, with Michael McLeod being the most recent.
Today we’re going with Nick Merkley.
Counting stats: four games played, two points (one goal, ine assists), 11:22 average time on ice
5v5 underlyings: 2.88 points/60, +9.92 CF% Rel, +21.43 GF% Rel, +18.23 xGF% Rel, 99.3 PDO
2019-20 review: Merkley started the season somewhat slowly in Tuscan. He recorded 16 points – and scored only three goals – in 26 games prior to the trade. Certainly nothing to get excited about.
Merkley did seem to get a little boost from the trade to New Jersey. He put up 19 points (eight goals, 11 assists) in 28 games with the Baby Devils. He also showed well during his four-game cup of coffee with the big club.
Four games is a very small sample size, of course, so it’s important not to get carried away with the limited data at hand. In saying that, it’s obviously better than not the Devils’ share of the shots/chances/goals was higher with Merkley on the ice – and that he looked serviceable in the process.
All told, I think Merkley had a solid but unspectacular season. He was good – but not great – at the AHL level and showed well during his limited NHL time.
Fun fact(s): Blake Coleman was the only member of the Devils to average more high-danger chances per minute.
2020-21 outlook: I think Merkley is in the same boat as Michael McLeod, Janne Kuokkanen, and some of the other young forwards in the system. He has showcased himself fairly well in the AHL. Now he has to earn a full-time spot and prove he can get the job done in the NHL. There is going to be a lot of competition for the final couple of jobs. Merkley will have to do something to separate himself from the pack. Could he do that? Sure. Will he? I’m not overly optimistic.
I’m thinking he’ll end up in Binghamton to start the year. He’ll serve as one of their primary offensive threats and get the call for a game here and there if the Devils are in a pinch.
numbers via naturalstattrick.com and hockey-reference.com
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