Kings Article: What You Need to Know About Michael Mersch’s Game

[Sheng Peng]

"There’s a good chance Darryl Sutter will learn to love 'Big Mike' as much as Reign head coach Mike Stothers does":

What You Need to Know About Michael Mersch’s Game

Also, ICYMI, I reacted to Drew Doughty's recent comment that Nick Shore was "one of the best" defensive centers in the league:

Is Nick Shore “One of the Best†Defensive Centers?

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[Herby]

Excellent article as usual, I'll add some thoughts myself.

I married into a UW family, so I follow their sports teams pretty closely, seen him play a ton through the years, screamed NHL player from the start. I was totally shocked wasn't drafted earlier because he has size, strength and great finish around the net.

I think Blake is spot on with the Holmstrom comp. with some slight differences. As the gif shows, that is something Mersch does frequently, an amazing ability to bring the puck off the boards and into a high scoring area, either by carrying it or passing it and getting to the front. I think he skates better than Holmstrom does, but isn't quite the pure unmoveable ox that Holmstrom was. Holmstrom was perhaps the best shot deflector I've ever seen, don't really know how great Mersch will be, that's a talent you pick up on after watching a player play well over a seasons worth of games. Where he is similar is being a great garbage man like Holmstrom was. Mersch not only has great hands around the net but also knows how to find the space needed to get that extra split second.

I remember them playing NoDak a few years ago and Mersch completely dominated his current teammate Derek Forbort, remember thinking to myself should I be happy that the Kings were able to get this guy with a 4th rounder or sad they took the defenseman with a 1st rounder.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Excellent article as usual, I'll add some thoughts myself.

I married into a UW family, so I follow their sports teams pretty closely, seen him play a ton through the years, screamed NHL player from the start. I was totally shocked wasn't drafted earlier because he has size, strength and great finish around the net.

I think Blake is spot on with the Holmstrom comp. with some slight differences. As the gif shows, that is something Mersch does frequently, an amazing ability to bring the puck off the boards and into a high scoring area, either by carrying it or passing it and getting to the front. I think he skates better than Holmstrom does, but isn't quite the pure unmoveable ox that Holmstrom was. Holmstrom was perhaps the best shot deflector I've ever seen, don't really know how great Mersch will be, that's a talent you pick up on after watching a player play well over a seasons worth of games. Where he is similar is being a great garbage man like Holmstrom was. Mersch not only has great hands around the net but also knows how to find the space needed to get that extra split second.

I remember them playing NoDak a few years ago and Mersch completely dominated his current teammate Derek Forbort, remember thinking to myself should I be happy that the Kings were able to get this guy with a 4th rounder or sad they took the defenseman with a 1st rounder.

Giggled at the last line.

I agree, Holmstrom is just flat out legendary there, don't know if I even WANT Mersch to stay planted there for that kind of abuse, I much appreciate his ability to get off the boards and roll with/spin off contact near and in front of the net.

 

[Sheng Peng]

I think Blake is spot on with the Holmstrom comp. with some slight differences.

Thanks for reading, your reply had a lot of terrific insight! Just want to point out that it's not Blake making the comp, it was Mersch himself who said that Holmstrom is a player who he models himself on.

In another interview I did with Mersch, I loved this quote, tells you that not only is he student of the game, but he knows what his bread and butter will be: "I like watching hockey...I watch around the net. The puck's around maybe the blueline, and I'm watching around the net."