The New York Rangers currently hold three picks in the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft; nine, 26, and 28. One player they could target with one of their late firsts is polarizing offensive defenseman Ryan Merkley.
Ryan Merkley is a very interesting prospect. He was the first overall pick in the 2016 OHL Draft, playing for the Guelph Storm. He has absolutely lit it up in his time in Guelph. In his rookie season he put up 55 points in 62 games, which led all OHL rookies. His sophomore season was even better, posting 67 points in 63 games.
Despite his offensive prowess, Merkley has received his fair share of criticism. Some complaints about him include his work ethic, most noticeably in the defensive zone, as well as some disciplinary issues. While this may make some teams shy away, the New York Rangers have proven that they are willing to take a chance on a player like this if the talent is there (see DeAngelo, Tony). And with Merkley, the talent is most definitely there.
Without further ado, let’s delve in and take a deeper look at Ryan Merkley.
Skating
Merkley is an absolutely fantastic skater. He is incredibly fast, and only takes a few strides to reach his top speed. He is incredibly agile and can pivot well, which allows him to move around and cover a ton of ice.
He is able to join the rush or pinch in the offensive zone, and still possesses the top flight speed to get back. He can also walk the blue line very well, which allows him to open up a lot of lanes.
Offense
Merkley’s offensive ability is ridiculous. He rivals Rasmus Dahlin in that regard. He is an incredible passer and skater, which allows him to start the rush.
He’s a wildly talented puck mover, and can make a home-run pass with ease. He’s a fantastic power play quarterback as well. He has amazing vision and is a phenomenal passer.
Merkely can thread the needle with his passes, and is very good at setting up teammates for scoring chances.
Merkley has an excellent shot from the point, and his slap shot is also very powerful and accurate. He also has a very quick release. Merkley is incredibly deft at opening up lanes and getting shots through traffic.
Defense
Defense is where Merkley struggles. He needs to improve his positioning and decision making away from the puck. The most concerning thing about Merkley’s defensive game is that he doesn’t appear to put in the same effort that he puts in in the offensive zone.
A lot of times he appears to be watching the play instead of getting involved. Coaches at the next level will need to make it a priority to work on his defensive game.
Projection
Merkley is a very intriguing prospect, as his skating and offensive ability are near the top of the draft class in terms of ability. He’s a boom or bust prospect in every sense of the word. He has all the skills to be a number one defenseman, however, he has some very real red flags, especially in his own end of the ice.
The team that drafts Merkley will be taking a risk. If he reaches his potential, he will be one of the top defensemen in the league, and the team that picks him will be getting a steal. However, if he doesn’t pan out, it will be a waste of a pick.
Next: New York Rangers: 2018 NHL Entry Draft rankings
The New York Rangers have a wealth of picks in this year’s draft, so they can afford to roll the dice on a boom or bust prospect like Merkley. People are very mixed on Merkley; some have him going in the top 15, while others have him falling out of the first round entirely. If he is still there when the Rangers pick at 26 or 28, they would be smart to pick him.