John Merrill leaves UM and signs with Devils

[linebackeru]

Anxious to see what this kid can do.

 

[Nasty_Magician]

This guy is the future. He and Larsson should be locks on our blue line for the next decade. I have really high hopes for this kid, maybe too high.

 

[nj_cup]

yeah im excited about this kid too.

him and larrson you can only hope turn into weber/suter 2.0

they really need to open up some space on the blue line for next season. i dont want to see him out there then. but we need to filter some of the other prospects and see whos worth keeping and playing. heck we are only talking as a 6th d man give the kids some time.

need to get some forward depth because outside of boucher i dont think there is anything on the forward side in the pipeline

 

[Nasty_Magician]

From Hockey Futures:

Merrill is a solidly built two-way defender with outstanding poise and hockey smarts. He skates well in all directions, shows no fear in rushing the puck up the ice and can quarterback a power play with his great distribution skills and shot. While he’s still a little raw defensively, Merrill has gradually learned how to use his sizable frame to his advantage in his time at the University of Michigan. That being said, he mostly relies on his sound positioning and keen stick-work while defending.

 

[Nasty_Magician]

Fire & Ice

I was a little worried that he could've been a "Justin Schultz" situation where the team that drafted him lost his rights and he became a free agent. Does anybody know the rule on that? Is it you retain his rights for like 3 years? After that they're a free agent if they haven't signed?

 

[nj_cup]

thats crazy i didnt even know that could happen.

if you draft a kid you should retain his rights until he plays for you or you trade him. you shouldnt lose the pick you wasted on him!

 

[nj_cup]

Larsson is 6’3” and 200 lbs.
Fayne is 6’3” and 215 lbs.
Urbom is 6’3” and 220 lbs.
Merrill is 6’3” and 210 lbs.
Gelinas is 6’3” and 190 lbs
Severson is 6’2” and 200 lbs.
Burlon is 6’1” and 196 lbs.
Scarlett is 6’1” and needs to bulk up.


someone posted that on tg....defense looks deep. like someone else said on there if 2 of them pan out thats solid with larrson

 

[nj_cup]

now merril went to the ncaa.

what do you think is better for a hockey career?

ncaa? or the juniors?

 

[rp2five]

I think college hockey has come a long way the past decade or so. Not sure what the stats are, but see more high draft picks being from college.

Tough to say which is better.
Me personally? I would go to college because if you don't make the pros, you have that degree to fall back on. Plus the party life.

 

[nj_cup]

yeah i agree rp cant beat a free ride in school and like you said the ncaa has stepped their game up.

 

[MCDevils]

It's actually a bit odd. Because if you're 18 and it's ur draft year, JR is prob better, but after that, you're basically playing against younger kids, so maybe college is better. Tough to say. Unfortunately Merrill has been slowed by the suspension and then the injury this year. It'll be two more years I bet.

 

[DevilishWon]

thats crazy i didnt even know that could happen.

if you draft a kid you should retain his rights until he plays for you or you trade him. you shouldnt lose the pick you wasted on him!

always been that way