Confirmed with Link: Sharks sign Ryan Merkley to ELC

[IceNeophyte]

Didn't know he was staying with Burns. That's kinda cool.

Burns needs to teach him how to fight.

 

[Pinkfloyd]

We all know that he has to improve his defensive game. 2-3 years away from the NHL shouldn't come as a big shock to anyone. Scary to think how he'll be offensively in 3 years time with all the mentoring and tutoring he will receive. I'd take an elite offensive defenseman like Boyle anytime .

I doubt his offensive game will actually improve any in three years. He's not going to get any better at that aspect in juniors. It's going to be impossible to really say how he's improved offensively or defensively given what his situation will be the next few years. I just hope that he improves physically and mentally. Then when he's 20 and playing his first full pro year, we can see where he stands and what he needs to get better at against guys that will be his competition for years to come and not just other boys.

 

[AgentCooper]

Very excited about this kid. Patience will be key here, and thankfully, it seems that the org understands that he needs time. Now we just sit back and hope he develops ... and pray he doesn't get hurt...

 

[Jaleel619]

His character issues will probably save us from screwing up his development at the end of the day. Perfect!

Edit: Merfect!

 

[spintheblackcircle]

 

[Alwalys]

i saw that. that was a bad decision sure. he wont be doing that at the NHL level

 

[spintheblackcircle]

Not more than once.

 

[Alwalys]

That tweet is a steaming hot take though.

 

[Juxtaposer]

It’s amazing how many people want this kid to fail.

 

[seroes]

He'll be fine eventually I think. Let's just see where he is next camp.

 

[Alaskanice]

This happens.
Our own Dan Boyle put one in our own net during the playoffs.
Steve Smith of the Flames made a huge faux pas and his career went on for many years.
My point is that one play doesn’t determine a players game.
Move past it.

 

[Fistfullofbeer]

It’s amazing how many people want this kid to fail.

Well. Makes sense. If you can't have him. Hate him.

 

[Barrie22]

If merkely did that exact play 10 times he gets the puck out of the zone 9 times.

 

[NathanCouture]

If merkely did that exact play 10 times he gets the puck out of the zone 9 times.

I would go as much as 97 out of 100

 

[Dicdonya]

Yeah that tweet is stupid, totally irrelevant to what Merkley's real or perceived Defensive issues are, and just comes across as purposefully vindictive.

Before I watched it, I was waiting for some sort of controller disconnect defense from him, where he seems to just not care in the Dzone, like people have said he doesn't.
An ill advised pass in the Dzone? Yeah nah that's totally irrelevant.

Also, look how upset he is about it, almost like he gives a shit he just screwed up, in the Dzone, and hurt his team. All things that you would not expect him to care about based on the way some people spoke of his character.

 

[SactoShark]

Oh weird he looked better against NHL players. I guess he’s bust.