Draft Watch: Jon Merrill

The Rangers have the tenth overall pick in the draft, and while some writers think the Rangers will draft a goalie (for some unknown reason), the Rangers most pressing need at the NHL level is a scorer. However, with the Rangers sitting at #10, they might have to employ a “best available” tactic at the draft. If that occurs, the Rangers might wind up taking another defenseman in the first round. In the sixth installment of this series, we look at defenseman Jonathan Merrill of the US-Under 18 National Team.

The 6’3 200 lb American defenseman has put together a modest season with the USA team, netting a goal and eight assists in 22 games this year. Generally not known for his offense, Merrill is one of the most defensively sound prospects in this draft. His play in his own zone makes him one of the top defensive players at his level. He is positionally sound, and plays a very physical game, already utilizing his size to his advantage.

Although Merrill is not known for his offense, he has started to show some offense this year, which has dramatically risen his stock. His nine points in 22 games is not a big increase in production, but his presence and IQ on the ice illustrate that he is ready to break out offensively. His play style is reminiscent of Marc Staal, in that he is defensively superior to his age group, while his offense has potential, and is starting to show.

The only real knock on Merrill is his skating ability. While not slow, Merrill is not as fast and swift on his skates as some of the other top skaters in the draft. This affects his ability to get to loose pucks, and his ability to cut off oncoming forwards. This isn’t all that unexpected from an 18 year old, and it is something that Merrill is already working on. It’s not that Merrill is a poor skating, it is just an area for improvement for possibly the best defensive player in this draft.

Although many would want the Rangers to draft a forward, and potentially trade up to get one earlier in the draft. However, if the Rangers were unable to do so, Merrill is a solid consolation prize. The Rangers would do well with a defensive core of Merrill, Staal, Michael Del Zotto, and Dan Girardi. That foursome would be one of the top foursomes in the game. For a team that needs a big bruising defenseman, Merrill would be just that, and maybe provide some offense too.

Image Credit: Mike Kylmaniemi, HHOF IIHF Images

Mock Draft #1: Puck Prospectus

It’s that time of year again, prospects lining up for the 2010 Entry Draft have been ranked, and scouts will continue to adjust these rankings right up through June. Corey Pronman of Puck Prospectus takes his first look at this year’s first round class, using the current NHL standings as draft position. With the 14th pick, Corey has the Rangers selecting US U-17 defenseman Jon Merrill.

Merrill, soon to be 18, is listed at 6’4 190 lbs. He is a very solid positional defenseman, and makes a solid first pass up the ice, sometimes joining in on the rush. He is very smart, and has committed to Michigan for his college career.

Pronman notes that the Rangers can take their time with Merrill, and let him develop on the World Junior stage and in college. Merrill would be a 4-5 year project for whichever team takes him.

The Rangers have the luxury of being stocked with defensive prospects, so they can take a project like Merrill and take their time with him. With the plethora of good offensive talent selected in 2008 and 2009, the Rangers don’t necessarily have a “need” to take a forward in this draft. Depending on where the Rangers sit, I would assume they take the best player available, and not hone in on a specific position. Merrill sounds like a legitimate prospect, and is already being called the real deal. I would be wary of his size/age though, as players his size do tend to excel in the younger levels because their size is their advantage. It will be very interesting to see how he adjusts in college, especially with Michigan.

Just thinking out loud, the Rangers taking Merrill sounds a lot like the Rangers taking Chris Kreider last year. The talent is there, and is a long term project. I haven’t done enough research on the prospects yet, I’m waiting for the TSN and HF rankings to come out before I go deep into the research. But from what I’ve read, I like the sound of Merrill.