Ryan Merkley – 2018 NHL Draft Prospect Profile
By Mark Scheig, The Hockey Writers
Ryan Merkley
2017-18 Team: Guelph Storm (#6)
Date of Birth: August 14, 2000
Place of Birth: Oakville, ON
Ht: 5’11” Wt: 170 lbs
Shoots: Right
Position: D
NHL Draft Eligibility: 2018 first-year eligible
Rankings
- NHL Central Scouting Mid-Term: 21st
- Future Considerations: 18th
- McKeen’s Hockey: 25th
The Guelph Storm owned the coveted first overall pick in the 2016 OHL Priority Selection. There was no question who they would take with that pick. After scoring 44 points in 33 games for the Toronto Jr. Canadiens and being named the GTHL Player of the Year, Ryan Merkley was the obvious choice. The Storm had an elite offensive defenseman to build around.
Merkley’s first two seasons in Guelph has been anything but easy for his team. Although he’s put up elite numbers in his 16 and 17 year old seasons, his team missed the playoffs the first year and was ousted by the Kitchener Rangers in six games this season. Just look at these insane numbers. Keep in mind he’s a defenseman. In 2016-17, he had 12-43-55 as a 16 year old. He followed that up with a line of 13-54-67 in 63 games. This is easily NHL lottery pick territory.
RELATED: THW’s 2018 Draft Guide
But there are two sides to this story. While the offensive is undeniable, Merkley’s defense is well, a work in progress. Although there were pockets of bright spots there, there is a long way to go in that department. Whether he made a bad pinch or a poor pass, errors of this kind were all too common. That would go to explain his -70 rating career to date. Talk about polar opposites in one player.
The other concern brought up throughout the industry is questions about Merkley’s character. When things don’t go his way, he’s been seen clearly frustrated. He got suspended by the OHL for taking a baseball swing at an opponent with his stick. He got three games for that mighty slash. There’s also been talk about how he handles himself off the ice.
So the main question here is where will Merkley go on draft night? Here’s what you have to ask yourself. Will he correct his glaring issues? If so, how soon will it happen? Then at what point are you willing to take his offensive upside given the other issues? I have personally spoken to Merkley twice this season, once at the beginning and then again at the end of the regular season. In my experience, he was personable and pleasant to talk to. He didn’t dodge any questions. He somehow wasn’t named one of the best offensive defensemen in the Western Conference by the coaches. I asked him his thoughts. He just smiled at me. I then replied that’s more motivation for you, isn’t it? He smiled and nodded his head at me. He knows what’s going on.
As for where I have him, I have him at the end of the first round. At some point, you can’t let his offensive upside fall too far. I believe he’ll eventually figure the other things out. Whoever drafts him will get an instant offensive and power play boost. Just be prepared for the other stuff he brings at this time.