Jon Merrill News
Merrill was not in the lineup in Boston on Sunday, but will replace Brad Hunt tonight vs. the Ducks. Merrill doesn’t have a lot of offensive upside, picking up just two assists in 15 games this season.
Merrill has just one assist and 21 PIMS in 12 games this season, but will be replaced by Brad Hunt on the third pairing tonight.
Merrill will play for the first time in five games as he draws in for the injured Luca Sbisa tonight vs. the Penguins. Merrill has barely played this season, collecting just one assist in five games.
With Luca Sbisa out, Merrill not Shea Theodore will draw into the lineup on Tuesday. Merrill will play for the first time since October 31st and has no points while averring 18:06 TOI/GM in three games this season.
Merrill played as a seventh defenseman with Joseph Blandisi out on Sunday, but with Blandisi returning from an illness, Merrill will serve as a healthy scratch vs. the Jets.
Merrill got into the lineup for the last three games with Yohann Auvitu sidelined with an upper-body injury. Auvitu will return tonight, so Merrill, who had no points in three games, will sit.
Merrill, 24, has spent the last three years with the Devils and with this signing will be with them for at least two more seasons. He is coming off of a disappointing year, having totalled just five points (1G / 4A) in 47 games, giving him 30 points (5G / 25A) in 165 career NHL games.