Merkley scares me. It's not that he can't play defense, because I'm sure he can learn. It's that he is supposedly having major personal/discipline type issues in Guelph. Like he's been scratched a couple of times, and I guess those were fairly hush-hush team suspensions for his behavior and attitude.
I can't remember where I read it now, but I saw a write-up that claimed his biggest problem is that he cannot get along with his teammates at all. Like I guess there's one player he refuses to pass to, ever. I find it sort of remarkable that Guelph has tolerated him this much. They're really bending over backwards to try to save his draft position.He could probably defend well if he wanted to. But go over to the Guelph board and they all say the same thing, guy gives up on plays and is only concerned with playing in the offensive zone. From what I've heard he hasn't had a coach yet that has got him to play defense, and he has clashed with every coach he's had so far.
I think part of why he is scratched is attitude, and part is he doesn't do what he is asked to do (defend). Amazing talent, but I'm not sure anyone is going to get through to him at this point.
I like Bouchard for the same reasons and don't think his skating is something that will hinder him as an effective NHL D man.If it comes down to it would you guys prefer Bouchard or Dobson? I lean Bouchard...bomb of a shot and elite passing. What are the chances he improves his skating dramatically given that’s not his forte?
First of all, I would be really happy to draft either of those guys. That said, Bouchard. I know this is totally unfair to Bouchard to make this comparison, but he has Lidstrom-level patience and vision in the offensive zone. He's got that ice water in his veins quality that I love to see in a defenseman.If it comes down to it would you guys prefer Bouchard or Dobson? I lean Bouchard...bomb of a shot and elite passing. What are the chances he improves his skating dramatically given that’s not his forte?
If it comes down to it would you guys prefer Bouchard or Dobson? I lean Bouchard...bomb of a shot and elite passing. What are the chances he improves his skating dramatically given that’s not his forte?
One thing that is very concerning about the way the Wings are drafting is the fact it’s a speed league over size.
Merkley scares me. It's not that he can't play defense, because I'm sure he can learn. It's that he is supposedly having major personal/discipline type issues in Guelph. Like he's been scratched a couple of times, and I guess those were fairly hush-hush team suspensions for his behavior and attitude.
If it comes down to it would you guys prefer Bouchard or Dobson? I lean Bouchard...bomb of a shot and elite passing. What are the chances he improves his skating dramatically given that’s not his forte?
Talented prospect whose attitude and behavior may get in the way of him becoming a good player in the NHL? Detroit has made this mistake before...
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What mistake are you talking about?
Talented prospect whose attitude and behavior may get in the way of him becoming a good player in the NHL? Detroit has made this mistake before...
Merkley seems like the kind of prospect that I'd be fine with using the extra 2nd rounder on, but that I'd be ok with somebody else taking before that pick rolls around.
Plenty of talent, but definite red flags.
Talented prospect whose attitude and behavior may get in the way of him becoming a good player in the NHL? Detroit has made this mistake before...
I would go with Athanasiou as the lesson on taking a really talented guy with reported attitude issues that seems to still be a problem years later.
But Merkley has actual superstar ability on a game by game basis. If he is there at the Vegas pick (I expect him to be gone) we should pull the trigger. He is in my opinion the second most talented D-man in this draft. I love Hughes but Merkley makes disgusting offensive plays. I am not sure about his D and I am not sure about his character, but we won't draft a more talented player in the 20's this decade if we do get a shot at him.
Also what is the point in all of these high character guys like Larkin and Rasmussen if they can't help straighten out a Merkley. It's a chance but it for me is a chance this team should absolutely take if he is there. He massively shifts how I feel about our rebuild if he is the guy we get with the Vegas pick.
Talented prospect whose attitude and behavior may get in the way of him becoming a good player in the NHL? Detroit has made this mistake before...
Someone help me understand this post. i'm confused.
I really like what you said in that last paragraph there.
But man, Merkley is such a conundrum for me. I started the year giving him the benefit of the doubt and obviously loving the skill set, but he really didn’t do himself a lot of favors this year.
With the puck, yeah I agree, he is a special player. I still say he’s the best skating 17 year old defenseman I’ve ever seen. He makes some plays with the puck I don’t know anyone else in this draft could.
But you have to take the good, the bad, and the ugly with him. And the ugly is ugly. He will create a turnover for the other team and then make 0 effort to get back and defend on the play that resulted from his turnover. Hard to say how good defensively he could be when he’s not interested in trying half the time.
I thought he has been passable defensively when he has played for Canada, so maybe in the right environment you could drag it out of him. But he also was a healthy scratch this year. I have a hard time seeing most coaches having the patience to deal with him for an entire season unless he really grows up and changes his ways.
I would probably roll the dice on him with a pick in the 20’s. But I also won’t be surprised if we are talking about these same issues with this kid a few years from now either.
I really like what you said in that last paragraph there.
But man, Merkley is such a conundrum for me. I started the year giving him the benefit of the doubt and obviously loving the skill set, but he really didn’t do himself a lot of favors this year.
With the puck, yeah I agree, he is a special player. I still say he’s the best skating 17 year old defenseman I’ve ever seen. He makes some plays with the puck I don’t know anyone else in this draft could.
But you have to take the good, the bad, and the ugly with him. And the ugly is ugly. He will create a turnover for the other team and then make 0 effort to get back and defend on the play that resulted from his turnover. Hard to say how good defensively he could be when he’s not interested in trying half the time.
I thought he has been passable defensively when he has played for Canada, so maybe in the right environment you could drag it out of him. But he also was a healthy scratch this year. I have a hard time seeing most coaches having the patience to deal with him for an entire season unless he really grows up and changes his ways.
I would probably roll the dice on him with a pick in the 20’s. But I also won’t be surprised if we are talking about these same issues with this kid a few years from now either.