Merkley thinking next level entering 2018 NHL Draft

Ryan Merkley could turn out to be the most productive power-play defenseman in the 2018 NHL Draft not named Rasmus Dahlin.
The right-hand shot, who led the Ontario Hockey League with 32 power-play assists for Guelph, has offensive instincts that are tough to teach, and can skate and maneuver as well as any draft prospect in possession of the puck.

"I'm offensive-minded and I like playing with the puck," Merkley said. "I think I get more space out there, and like playing with the puck and creating plays and taking chances. I just think that's what I've been gifted at. It's what I've excelled at, and that's what I like to work on."
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Dahlin, the do-it-all left-handed defenseman who will likely be chosen No. 1 in the 2018 draft, is No. 1 on NHL Central Scouting's final rankings of International skaters.
John Williams of NHL Central Scouting said Merkley could be one of most effective players with the man-advantage in this draft.
"He's an excellent skater with very good edges and mobility, and he's very elusive with the puck on his stick," Williams said. "He sees the ice well and, combined with that ability to hold onto the puck for that extra split second, allows things to open up and that sets him apart."
Merkley is also one of the more curious prospects on the draft board this year because despite having so much raw talent, he's projected to be taken in the second round, according to NHL Central Scouting.
"Merkley looks like he's always trying to be a difference-maker with the puck and just needs to learn and to appreciate that he can be a difference-maker away from the puck and outside the offensive zone," Williams said.

Merkley (5-foot-11, 170 pounds), who turns 18 on Aug. 14, is No. 45 on NHL Central Scouting's final list of North American skaters. He's aware he needs to improve away from the puck and is determined to do just that as he matures into the all-around player every NHL scout believes he can be.
"I know I need to be better in the defensive zone if I'm to get to the next level," Merkley said. "I've been skating with skating coach Dawn Braid since I was 9 years old and that's been a big help for me."
Braid became the first female to coach full-time in the NHL when she was hired as skating coach for the Arizona Coyotes on Aug. 24, 2016. Prior to that, she worked as a consultant for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Anaheim Ducks, Buffalo Sabres and Calgary Flames.
Merkley, who had 25 interviews with NHL clubs at the NHL Scouting Combine, is a big fan of Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang.
"I think in order to play in the NHL today you have to be able to make that first pass and be reliable in every situation defensively, for sure," Merkley said. "Even if you have the offensive game, you need to be reliable with and without the puck."
Merkley ranked third among OHL defensemen with 67 points, second with 54 assists and fifth with a 1.06 points-per game average in 63 games. He has 122 points (25 goals, 97 assists) in 125 OHL games.

"[Merkley] works his tail off every night and he's a guy who is ultra-competitive, so he's going to lead your team," said Guelph center Cameron Hillis, No. 67 on Central Scouting's final North American list. "He's a player I go to war with every night, and that's the most important thing."
Merkley said he wanted to play defense after watching his older sister, Lauren, play the position at Bemidji State University in Minnesota. Younger sister Karley, the only forward of the group, is committed to play at Harvard in 2018-19.
"Lauren is obviously someone I looked up to and she's a defenseman, and that's the reason I wanted to try the position," Merkley said. "I always went to her games, always practiced with her team. I looked up to her when I was younger; she was my role model."
Troy Dumville of NHL Central Scouting said Merkley isn't the first exceptionally skilled player to enter the draft with a few question marks pertaining to areas other than his play.
"At the end of the day, kids mature and I think teams realize that what you're getting at 17 is not what you're going to have at 22," Dumville said. "And if you look at what his potential might be as a 22-year-old, it's pretty attractive. If he matures, and his game comes to where you're hoping it does, you have yourself a pretty good hockey player and probably one drafted in a position lower than what his talent level really is."