Prospect Info: 2015 NHL Draft #30 - Nick Merkley C/RW

[XX]

Height: 5'11
Weight: 190
Position: C/RW
Shoots: Right
Birthplace: Calgary

[NHL]831079&catid=1411[/NHL]

A playmaking center that has an excellent eye for the game; sees the ice like a hawk from above. Creates scoring chances and on-ice energy through taking advantage of puck-possession and making the most of turnovers. Incredible work ethic; will battle against larger players and isn't afraid to do the dirty work in front of the net. Does not possess the largest frame or a dynamic level of skating; however, he does boast a remarkably high level of Hockey-IQ and a deep understanding of the game. There is something left to be desired having observed his individual skills, such as puckhandling, footspeed, and decision-making, for a prolonged period of time; there is definitely room for improvement in the small areas of his game. All-in-all, Merkley brings a medley of skill, smarts, and work ethic to the table, making him an invaluable asset as a Center. (Curtis Joe, EP 2014) - See more at: http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=107894#sthash.IA8PZeAW.dpuf

THW War Room Rankings (March): 21
Future Considerations: 16
HockeyProspect.com (February): 16
Last Word On Sports (February): 18
Craig Button (March): 14
CS Final Rankings for North American skaters (January): 13

“An offensive forward that makes an impact in the game every time he touches the puck…improved skater this season and possess more jump in his step…not big by any stretch but shows a willingness to throw his weight around…impressive hockey sense and ability to think the game…very creative and crafty with the puck…plays a complete 200-foot game…a strong playmaker with impressive vision and touch on his passes…willing to take the puck to the net…has an effective shot that is quick off his stick. (December 2014)”

Future Considerations

“In the mold of a true playmaker, Nick Merkley’s vision, anticipation and imaginative passing abilities are in the top echelon of the draft. Kelowna’s top scoring forward is a very good skater with elusive puck skills and he’s shown to be one of the WHL’s most consistent producers. Blessed with a fantastic motor and relentless work ethic, Merkley has the ability to push the pace of the game and force turnovers on the attack. He doesn’t shy away from traffic and engages physically with one focus on his mind – getting possession of the puck. At times, he overcomplicates the game but his competitive nature and playmaking abilities will ensure he becomes a first round selection. Merkley’s 16 goals and 70 points in 51 games with Kelowna has him ranked among the WHL’s top scorers.”

Brendan Ross – Dobber Sports

“Last season Merkley won the WHL Rookie of the Year award. He is another member of Canada’s 2015 Ivan Hlinka winning squad, and a quick riser on draft boards. After scoring four points in five games in the summer tournament, Merkley has exploded in Kelowna putting up 77 points in 56 games, good for third in WHL scoring. Merkley is a big reason why Kelowna was a WHL favorite even before they bolstered their lineup at the trade deadline. Merkley is currently listed at 5’10” and size is the major knock against him right now. Despite the size, Merkley isn’t afraid to go to the net, and to battle in the dirty areas of the ice. With his excellent balance, and good lower body strength, he is hard to knock off the puck. He’s got excellent offensive skills including superb vision and passing ability; a hard shot and good release; and high-end hockey IQ. Merkley is tenacious in the backcheck and uses his hockey IQ to anticipate plays and create turnovers. He has very good speed and gets the transition game going when he does steal pucks or intercept passes. He could stand to shoot the puck more though, as he has an accurate shot that he just doesn’t use enough. He could stand to add some strength and power though.“

Ben Kerr – Last Word On Sports

Click to read more...

 

[Matias Maccete]

Commentator for sportsnet said he's short not small, maybe like domi.

 

[Account Terminated]

Full scouting report:
http://lastwordonsports.com/2015/04/19/2015-nhl-draft-profile-19-nick-merkley/

Fantastic pick. Wanted him at 26.

 

[King'sPawn]

A fantastic pick who fell far more than he should have. Here's my shift by shift video on him:

 

[DesertDawg]

Nick Merkley is a gritty medium sized forward capable of playing both wing and center positions. Merkley is a rather unique prospect in this draft class as he combines several skillsets that typically aren't seen together in one single player. Yet, Merkley manages to combine them together into one overall attractive package, ultimately resulting in him being a sort of a Swiss army knife player not only in his ability to play both positions but actually possessing skills that should allow him to play in different situations up and down the line-up at the next level.
At a very basic big picture level, Merkley is a gritty straight-line forward that isn't afraid to get his nose dirty by playing in traffic, taking physical abuse to make plays or dishing out physical punishment on his own. What makes Merkley unique is that he combines that direct straight-line game with well above-average vision and playmaking. Thus while we can say that Merkley is a playmaking forward, he is not a typical playmaker that has a more controlled, patient, cerebral approach to playmaking. Instead, Merkley has an aggressive, direct disposition and is more apt at producing turnovers and making those "last" quick direct passes into space for scoring chances. There isn't so much that controlled back and forth, give and go, east-west approach that is classically associated with playmaking forwards. Merkley is more of a north-south, aggressive type that however still displays high-end ability to set-up teammates.
Instead of slowly tightening the noose around the neck so to speak as classic skilled playmakers do by patiently manipulating space, Merkley does it by being aggressive on the ice and finding that one opening that he can pass into and produce a scoring chance. He often also passes into space and at different speeds so his teammates can "skate into" the puck. In fact this is one of the better facets of Merkley's game as he needs minimal time to process the space and knows what type of pass he needs to make, whether it is a direct quick one or one that needs to be passed into space at a slower speed. There isn't much thinking involved there with Merkley, it's an innate trait for him and he pulls it off instinctively.
He also has good overall mobility and is a plus skater and utilizes his skating accordingly as he displays ability to read "holes" and jump into them as needed. Defensively he is committed to supporting the play and plays the puck-carrier with above-average aggression. That is not to say that Merkley lacks positioning sense either offensively or defensively, it is just that his approach is quite an aggressive one as he prefers direct shortest lanes, over elaborate manipulation of space.
As a playmaker, that means he creates mostly off more chaotic less-stationary situations that he himself helps create with his aggression after that his ability to read the play then gives him the chance to exploit those half-breakdowns. Though possessing an above-average skill level, Merkley will not blow you away with his stickhandling or technical skills with the puck. However to his credit, on the cycle he does show decent ability to protect the puck and uses his stick in a manner that keeps the puck far away from his body and thus makes him hard to stick-check, despite not using many elaborate stickhandling manoeuvres. While I would consider him primarily a player that creates off broken plays and half-breaks with speed, he does do a decent job at being useful even when the play settles down.
Overall, Merkley is quite an unique prospect that provides a game that is based on emotion and a direct approach, he creates off that sustaining energy level and both he and his teammates feed off it. His skillset give him the ability to be a Swiss army knife of a player and due to that he could fulfil several roles on any roster while providing a high energy game for his team.
Developmentally going forward, he is the type of player that would in my opinion really benefit by adding mass to his frame (provided he doesn't lose speed if possible) as it would have an exponential effect on his strengths, I'd also like him to portray more deception by thinking shoot/pass in a more balanced manner.
With that in mind although I do not think he has the upside to be a top line center, he could be anything from a complimentary top line winger, to second line center if things work out really well for him, to more realistically a 2nd/3rd line winger or a 3rd line center with a high compete level that is an option on special teams.

 

[IPreferPi]

Steal by Maloney. See lots of Brendan Gallagher in Merkley. Has enough talent to be a 2nd line playmaking forward but is tenacious.

 

[BlazingBlueAnt]

I like it, this is the kinda high reward pick that lets you find diamonds in the rough. Might not turn out, but it's pick #30, at this point you draft for what you hope they can become

 

[Matias Maccete]

Same guy who made the strome highlight vid with Judas Priest. I like his taste in music, and the yotes like the guys he makes vids of haha.

 

[XX]

I update OP with info guys.

 

[XX]

Commentator for sportsnet said he's short not small, maybe like domi.

Harkins is two inches taller and eight pounds lighter. Not worried about him. Fearless.

 

[Bonsai Tree]

Nick Merkley is a gritty medium sized forward capable of playing both wing and center positions. Merkley is a rather unique prospect in this draft class as he combines several skillsets that typically aren't seen together in one single player. Yet, Merkley manages to combine them together into one overall attractive package, ultimately resulting in him being a sort of a Swiss army knife player not only in his ability to play both positions but actually possessing skills that should allow him to play in different situations up and down the line-up at the next level.
At a very basic big picture level, Merkley is a gritty straight-line forward that isn't afraid to get his nose dirty by playing in traffic, taking physical abuse to make plays or dishing out physical punishment on his own. What makes Merkley unique is that he combines that direct straight-line game with well above-average vision and playmaking. Thus while we can say that Merkley is a playmaking forward, he is not a typical playmaker that has a more controlled, patient, cerebral approach to playmaking. Instead, Merkley has an aggressive, direct disposition and is more apt at producing turnovers and making those "last" quick direct passes into space for scoring chances. There isn't so much that controlled back and forth, give and go, east-west approach that is classically associated with playmaking forwards. Merkley is more of a north-south, aggressive type that however still displays high-end ability to set-up teammates.
Instead of slowly tightening the noose around the neck so to speak as classic skilled playmakers do by patiently manipulating space, Merkley does it by being aggressive on the ice and finding that one opening that he can pass into and produce a scoring chance. He often also passes into space and at different speeds so his teammates can "skate into" the puck. In fact this is one of the better facets of Merkley's game as he needs minimal time to process the space and knows what type of pass he needs to make, whether it is a direct quick one or one that needs to be passed into space at a slower speed. There isn't much thinking involved there with Merkley, it's an innate trait for him and he pulls it off instinctively.
He also has good overall mobility and is a plus skater and utilizes his skating accordingly as he displays ability to read "holes" and jump into them as needed. Defensively he is committed to supporting the play and plays the puck-carrier with above-average aggression. That is not to say that Merkley lacks positioning sense either offensively or defensively, it is just that his approach is quite an aggressive one as he prefers direct shortest lanes, over elaborate manipulation of space.
As a playmaker, that means he creates mostly off more chaotic less-stationary situations that he himself helps create with his aggression after that his ability to read the play then gives him the chance to exploit those half-breakdowns. Though possessing an above-average skill level, Merkley will not blow you away with his stickhandling or technical skills with the puck. However to his credit, on the cycle he does show decent ability to protect the puck and uses his stick in a manner that keeps the puck far away from his body and thus makes him hard to stick-check, despite not using many elaborate stickhandling manoeuvres. While I would consider him primarily a player that creates off broken plays and half-breaks with speed, he does do a decent job at being useful even when the play settles down.
Overall, Merkley is quite an unique prospect that provides a game that is based on emotion and a direct approach, he creates off that sustaining energy level and both he and his teammates feed off it. His skillset give him the ability to be a Swiss army knife of a player and due to that he could fulfil several roles on any roster while providing a high energy game for his team.
Developmentally going forward, he is the type of player that would in my opinion really benefit by adding mass to his frame (provided he doesn't lose speed if possible) as it would have an exponential effect on his strengths, I'd also like him to portray more deception by thinking shoot/pass in a more balanced manner.
With that in mind although I do not think he has the upside to be a top line center, he could be anything from a complimentary top line winger, to second line center if things work out really well for him, to more realistically a 2nd/3rd line winger or a 3rd line center with a high compete level that is an option on special teams.

Is this work yours? If so great post! If copied, you need a citation.

 

[Matias Maccete]

I update OP with info guys.

Well aren't you cool? I'll spam videos all I want damn it!

 

[Muppet]

Absolute steal at 30. Love it.

 

[hbk]

Anyone want to criticize Vermette deal now?

Wow. Great pick.

 

[letowskie]

Anyone want to criticize Vermette deal now?

Wow. Great pick.

Yeah;

probably the biggest negative difference between projected and actual position in the first round.

He might be the 2nd best C in the system now.

 

[Tad Mikowski]

90 points in the whl for pick 30? Um **** yes

 

[Tad Mikowski]

If everything pans out

Strome
Merkley
Dvorak

Me likey

 

[BlazingBlueAnt]

If everything pans out

Strome
Merkley
Dvorak

Me likey

I think Merkley will be a winger if he makes it to the NHL. From my viewings, Ryan Macinnis has a really good chance of becoming a good center in the NHL

 

[IPreferPi]

If everything pans out

Strome
Merkley
Dvorak

Me likey

I think Merkley will shift to wing in the NHL. But if he develops, he can be a versatile Bryan Little-esque player combined with tenaciousness.

 

[Tad Mikowski]

Even if that's true, we were kind of short on RW anyway. I'm good either way

 

[Jakey53]

90 points in the whl for pick 30? Um **** yes

90 pts. in the WHL is like 110 pts. in the OHL and 120 in the Q.

 

[Jakey53]

Anyone want to criticize Vermette deal now?

Wow. Great pick.

How many said DM screwed up, and waited too long to trade Vermette.

 

[Mosby]

The Many Stages of Kyle Turris

- 3ov: Turris
- Turris for Rundblad + 2nd
- 2nd for Vermette (Rundblad + Vermette)
- Rundblad for 2nd (2nd + Vermette)
- 2nd: Dvorak (Dvorak + Vermette)
- Vermette for Dahlbeck + 1st (Dvorak + Dahlbeck + 1st)
- 1st: Merkley (Dvorak + Dahlbeck + Merkley)

 

[rt]

Uniforms are good. Strome pick was great. Merkley pick was phenomenal. I'm over the moon. Ecstatic.

 

[letowskie]

The Many Stages of Kyle Turris

- 3ov: Turris
- Turris for Rundblad + 2nd
- 2nd for Vermette (Rundblad + Vermette)
- Rundblad for 2nd (2nd + Vermette)
- 2nd: Dvorak (Dvorak + Vermette)
- Vermette for Dahlbeck + 1st (Dvorak + Dahlbeck + 1st)
- 1st: Merkley (Dvorak + Dahlbeck + Merkley)

Nice break down;

We may come out on top after all.