Kings Article: Will Speed, Skating Continue to Block Michael Mersch's Rise To The NHL?

[FrozenRoyalty]

Los Angeles Kings power forward prospect Michael Mersch looks like an NHL-ready prospect, but his speed and skating have held him back.

Mersch worked hard on his skating this past summer and he came into training camp in top shape.

Will he finally overcome his skating and speed issues? What do the Kings think?

For more on all this, including exclusive comments from Mersch and Kings assistant general manager Michael Futa, check out...

Will Speed, Skating Continue to Block Michael Mersch's Rise To The NHL?

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[Fishhead]

I think a lot of us were high on Mersch, it was another big guy good around the net that fit the Kings grinding style. Things change so fast, though. I think it's one of the reasons that it's harder for forwards who need a lot of development time. By the time they hit the NHL, things that were strengths when they were drafted might not necessarily be strengths anymore.

I'm never really for drafting "projects", but if one is taken I'd much rather it be a defenseman than a forward. Roles for defense don't evolve nearly as fast.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Interesting thoughts about emptying the tank and managing energy. I remember King being in a similar conundrum, I think he mentioned his achilles would burn? I can't imagine being so big your body just literally can't handle it

Good to hear he's in fantastic shape, but if he doesn't make it now, I don't think he ever will. Really strange case because he's pretty much a top-sixer below the circles, but not an NHLer anywhere else on the ice. Around the net he's absolutely lethal, Tomas Holmstrom style.

I'm definitely rooting for him, but I'm just not sure what's gonna stick at this point.

 

[triplcrown]

Mersch's weight is down from like 225 or something like that, to
213 at present. That should help him get quicker.

 

[kingsfan28]

Waived today. Somewhere John Hoven [aka the Mayor] is pounding his fist on his keyboard repeating why, why why...

 

[KINGS17]

What happened? I thought Mersch was supposed to be better than Clifford, Andreoff, or any of the other bottom sixers people are always complaining about who were blocking his path.

 

[KingCanadain1976]

What happened? I thought Mersch was supposed to be better than Clifford, Andreoff, or any of the other bottom sixers people are always complaining about who were blocking his path.

I believe he was injured part of last year. He was making progress but then something always seems to set him back. A lot of the other prospects simply passed him on the depth cart. Personally I see him leaving us and going to a team like the Knights ( who reportedly scouted him last year) Sad as i saw him as a better skating with all the good King had. He still has the scoring touch around the net needed . I hope he gets a nhl chance soon.

 

[regulate]

He was a dominant player down low two seasons ago in the AHL. He took a step back last season, and the injury didn't help. His awkward skating style likely makes him a tweener at best. His overall game is pretty one-dimensional (in front of the net down low) and he is a pretty good PK guy, but Mike's really only chance is a 4th liner, PP, PK specialist, and that's if he ever makes it.

 

[Fishhead]

Yea, if you are gonna only do one thing well, you better be one of the best in the league at it. Mersch just isn't well rounded enough. I thought he had a chance when he went on that roll a couple years ago in the playoffs, but it never worked out for him here. He'll have to have a really good season just to get a QO next year, I'm thinking.

 

[kingsfan28]

I hope I'm wrong about this, but Mersh looks to be another bust [ a mid 4th rounder] in the long line of "character" forward Lombardi drafted.

 

[damacles1156]

I hope I'm wrong about this, but Mersh looks to be another bust [ a mid 4th rounder] in the long line of "character" forward Lombardi drafted.

The odds of a 4th rounder making it to the NHL are extremely poor to begin with. Not really a bust. The fact that Mersch is still with the King's AHL team is a win.

Mersch wasn't drafted for character, he was drafted cause he was a consistent scorer with size at the NCAA level.