I wonder if he turns pro next year, or plays out one more full year in college.
I'm almost thinking he could play one more year at college - a complete season - and then try the jump to the show, and skip the A altogether.
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My feeling is after what happened this year he will finish college.
I don't think he'll finish out the whole thing... Just because you can't risk getting hurt before you get paid. Hockey families that choose the college route tend to be in debt by the time kids like Merrill collect a pay check.
I think he might go pro at the end of this season, or next season at the latest. He won't finish out the four years. Not when his game is already almost at the pro level.
It seems he took a step on making sure he's a more responsible person and athlete. He'd be better working on himself in college then putting himself under the pressure of going pro.
Michigan goaltender Shawn Hunwick said it best: “The first half, I just felt like we were playing without somebody. Like, a key part wasn’t there. You lose a game, 2-1, and you’re like, ‘Well, if we had Jon, we win that game.’
To me this is the most positive thing said. Something like that says a lot about a player.
I don't think he'll finish out the whole thing... Just because you can't risk getting hurt before you get paid. Hockey families that choose the college route tend to be in debt by the time kids like Merrill collect a pay check.
He has a lot of work to do in terms of maturing. I wouldn't be surprised if Lou prefers that he finishes college. There is already a pretty decent logjam at defense in the minors, why continue to add to it?
He has a lot of work to do in terms of maturing. I wouldn't be surprised if Lou prefers that he finishes college. There is already a pretty decent logjam at defense in the minors, why continue to add to it?
Presumably Merrill would skip over the minors. He's certainly talented enough. But because of maturity issues they might want to take their time. It'll be up to both Lou and Jon.
are you seriously THAT upset that you might have to cut back on your constant pleas for a PMD? just get them all in before next season, and you should be good
are you seriously THAT upset that you might have to cut back on your constant pleas for a PMD? just get them all in before next season, and you should be good
So you think Merrill is good enough to play at the highest of levels, NEXT YEAR, because of what exactly?
Give me a couple of reasons why I should think like a homer and I'll give you credit for throwing flowers at him for no apparent reason then him being a NJD prospect. In the meantime, I'll wait a little while before saying that a kid who's playing 30 games a year at the college level is good enough to crack our roster next year.
There's no way Merrill makes the jump right away from NCAA hockey to the NHL, no way... especially with Lou in charge.
He's a promising prospect but he's not that good.
This is the same reason I said last summer that Larsson wouldn't play in the NHL this season, and I was wrong. Now admittedly, Merrill is no Larsson. But having more experience at the college level and dominating that level the way he is, he has an outside shot of making the team out of camp if he turns pro.
This is the same reason I said last summer that Larsson wouldn't play in the NHL this season, and I was wrong. Now admittedly, Merrill is no Larsson. But having more experience at the college level and dominating that level the way he is, he has an outside shot of making the team out of camp if he turns pro.
I think he'll spend another year in the NCAA. After that he might make the NHL out of camp, though.
This is the same reason I said last summer that Larsson wouldn't play in the NHL this season, and I was wrong. Now admittedly, Merrill is no Larsson. But having more experience at the college level and dominating that level the way he is, he has an outside shot of making the team out of camp if he turns pro.
Larsson was the top rated blueliner not playing in the NHL who wasn't drafted yet but you already knew that. John Merrill is not as good, we can agree on that as well, and rushing a kid with "issues" isn't helping him or the organisation long term.
If he does make it, he'll probably be our #6 guy and if that's the case, I'd rather see him log top minutes in the AHL instead.
So you think Merrill is good enough to play at the highest of levels, NEXT YEAR, because of what exactly?
Give me a couple of reasons why I should think like a homer and I'll give you credit for throwing flowers at him for no apparent reason then him being a NJD prospect. In the meantime, I'll wait a little while before saying that a kid who's playing 30 games a year at the college level is good enough to crack our roster next year.
i dont think he should play pro next year. personally, i think he will be in albany until we are hard hit with injuries, and he's given a 'trial by fire' welcome to the nhl. status quo.
There's no way Merrill makes the jump right away from NCAA hockey to the NHL, no way... especially with Lou in charge.
He's a promising prospect but he's not that good.
Travis Zajac played 2 career games in the AHL at the end of his sophomore year at UND and made the NHL the next season.
Mark Fayne started last season in Albany, he only played 19 career games there before being recalled and has stuck ever since. He's been arguably our most consistent NHL defenseman since he was called up.
You could argue that in terms of raw skill Merrill is a better prospect than either of them were at the time they went pro.
I think he'll spend another year in the NCAA. After that he might make the NHL out of camp, though.
I think this is probably the most likely result, but who can say for sure.
Quote:
Originally Posted by DEVILS ALL THE WAY
Larsson was the top rated blueliner not playing in the NHL who wasn't drafted yet but you already knew that. John Merrill is not as good, we can agree on that as well, and rushing a kid with "issues" isn't helping him or the organisation long term.
If he does make it, he'll probably be our #6 guy and if that's the case, I'd rather see him log top minutes in the AHL instead.
It depends on what the team needs at that point. I wouldn't rule out Merrill stepping straight into the top 4 like Fayne managed to do. We may also need him to be a PP QB. It's too far off to project reliably.
I would guarantee you that a 21/22 year old Merrill would be better in his rookie year than the 18 year old Larsson…I guarantee it. I would bet on it. There is no question in my mind....Just like Fayne, those added years and playing against big and stronger comeptition are tremendous.
Larsson was the top rated blueliner not playing in the NHL who wasn't drafted yet but you already knew that. John Merrill is not as good, we can agree on that as well, and rushing a kid with "issues" isn't helping him or the organisation long term.
If he does make it, he'll probably be our #6 guy and if that's the case, I'd rather see him log top minutes in the AHL instead.
Lets not forget Larsson was also playing against men in the SEL since he was 16. Merrill has a lot of talent, but there are also a lot of things he has to work on before he gets into the NHL. He needs to work on his speed, strength, physicality, and maturity. Finishing college and a year in the AHL will give him plenty of time to work on those things.
I would guarantee you that a 21/22 year old Merrill would be better in his rookie year than the 18 year old Larsson…I guarantee it. I would bet on it. There is no question in my mind....Just like Fayne, those added years and playing against big and stronger comeptition are tremendous.
I won't go this far. The SEL is tougher competition than NCAA and USHL hockey. And the difference in raw talent favours Larsson heavily too. But I do think Merrill would look fine stepping into the NHL straight from college.
I'm just not on board to give a kid with issues all the cash and freedom when he clearly isn't ready for that type of spotlight. What's the rush anyways, let him learn the pro game properly and let him adjust accordingly.
I won't go this far. The SEL is tougher competition than NCAA and USHL hockey. And the difference in raw talent favours Larsson heavily too. But I do think Merrill would look fine stepping into the NHL straight from college.
Couple of things...
Has nothing to do with the league........It has everything to do with being 21 vs 18 years old.
Second the SEL is not "tougher" competition...Is it more skilled? Yes. Are the players better? Yes. But it is not nearly as physically as just about any North American game played.
