Arizona Coyotes hold much promise in their prospects. Let’s see how they’re doing.
After the Arizona Coyotes drafted coveted Center Dylan Strome, they also had the good fortune to draft Nick Merkley from the Kelowna Rockets with the 30th pick in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. Arizona Coyotes General Manager Don Maloney stated that Merkley was rated much higher on the Coyotes draft boards.
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Maloney considered that getting the young player at that pick a “gift”. Merkley is another piece in the puzzle for Arizona’s long term success. But so far this year, Merkley has not been living up to the expectations being placed upon him as a first round pick.
Nick Merkley is known as a highly intelligent player, who takes his hockey IQ and uses it to his advantage. According to scouting reports, he is not the biggest guy nor the fastest, but he will battle and do the dirty work that is needed to come out on top. The 2015 NHL Draft Prospect Profile has some interesting things to say about him here.
Having said that, Merkley is off to a very slow start this year for the Rockets. After 5 games he has one goal and is at a −3. Obviously, this is not what he needs to do in order to progress to the next level. Merkley had a nice 90 point season last year so the talent and ability is there, but production must catch up.
Dave Tippett and Don Maloney are willing to give youngsters time to develop and grow their games. That patience comes with having the prospects show their growth. Merkley must continue to develop otherwise it will a wasted first round draft pick for a team that cannot afford to have many, if any, misses.
Merkley was doing fine at the training camp when he got hurt, and was not able to show the coaching staff and management his attributes. It was the same thing which happened to Brendan Perlini last year in training camp. Once you lose out participating you get forgotten.
In order to make it to the NHL Merkley must really perform to the highest level, because this is a league of professionals, and he has the qualities to get here, now he just needs to set his mind and body into doing it.
Next: Arizona Coyotes Sign Nick Merkley To Entry Contract
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