Merrill scored a goal on three shots and added a blocked shot and a plus-1 rating in Sunday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Maple Leafs.
The veteran blueliner opened the scoring less than three minutes into the first period, beating Joseph Woll over his glove on a wicked snapshot from the high slot. It's Merrill's first goal of the year and his third point in 12 games. Given that his career highs on a season are four goals and 20 points -- set in 2021-22, his first campaign with the Wild -- it's unlikely he's going to suddenly become a fantasy asset.
... See More... See Less
Wild's Jon Merrill: Grabs assist Thursday
Rotowire
Merrill recorded an assist in Thursday's 6-2 defeat to the Flyers.
While Merrill does have two assists through the first seven matches of the season, he remains goalless to open the 2023-24 campaign. Considering the blueliner has managed a mere four shots so far, it shouldn't come as a surprise that he hasn't found the back of the net yet. Merrill has just one 20-point season in his 11-year NHL career, so fantasy players probably shouldn't expect him to emerge as an offensive force in 2023-24.
... See More... See Less
Wild's Jon Merrill: Returning Sunday
Rotowire
Merrill (illness) will rejoin the Wild for Sunday's matchup with the Blue Jackets, per Dane Mizutani of the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
Merrill missed Minnesota's last two contests while recovering from an illness. The 31-year-old blueliner has two goals and eight assists through 53 games this season, averaging 14:49 TOI in a bottom-pairing role.
... See More... See Less
Wild's Jon Merrill: Out of action Thursday
Rotowire
Merrill (illness) will not play Thursday in Columbus, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports.
Merrill and Jonas Brodin (lower body) will be out of the lineup and will be replaced by Calen Addison and Dakota Mermis. Merrill is not on the road trip which will see the Wild travel to Toronto on Friday. He has two goals and 10 points with 67 blocks and 34 hits in 53 games this season.
... See More... See Less
Wild's Jon Merrill: Scores in loss
Rotowire
Merrill logged a goal, two blocked shots, and a hit in Tuesday's 4-3 loss to the Rangers.
Merrill opened the scoring in the first period, beating Igor Shesterkin with a shot through traffic. It's Merrill's first goal since Dec. 7 and his first point in five games. The 30-year-old blueliner now has two goals and seven assists through 36 games after posting a career-best 20 points last season. Merrill doesn't offer much upside in a third-pairing role, averaging 15:51 of ice time.
... See More... See Less
Wild's Jon Merrill: Picks up assist in loss
Rotowire
Merrill provided an assist in Thursday's 5-2 loss to the Sharks.
Merrill set up Joel Eriksson Ek's first-period goal. The assist was Merrill's first point since a two-point effort Dec. 7 versus the Flames. In the seven scoreless outings in between, he went plus-3 with five hits, four blocked shots and four shots on goal. The 30-year-old defenseman has maintained a fairly steady third-pairing role with seven points, 22 shots on net, 37 blocked shots, 21 hits, 12 PIM and an even plus-minus rating through 29 contests.
... See More... See Less
Wild's Jon Merrill: Contributes two points Wednesday
Rotowire
Merrill scored a goal and registered an assist in a 5-3 loss to Calgary on Wednesday.
Merrill found the back of the net at 15:45 of the third period to even the game at 3-3, but Calgary retook the lead just 12 seconds later. Merrill has a goal and six points in 21 contests. The 30-year-old typically isn't much of an offensive contributor, but he does have four points in his last four games.
... See More... See Less
Wild's Jon Merrill: Logs assist in blowout
Rotowire
Merrill failed to score on his lone shot but registered a helper in a 6-1 blowout win over the Jets on Wednesday.
Merrill earned a helper on a wrist shot by Calen Addison early into the second period to give the Wild a 2-0 lead. The 30-year-old winger also registered three blocks along with two hits in 18:50 of ice time. The veteran blueliner is still looking for his first goal of the season.
... See More... See Less
Wild's Jon Merrill: Gets on scoresheet Friday
Rotowire
Merrill recorded an assist in Friday's 1-0 win over the Kraken.
Merrill set up Mats Zuccarello's first-period tally in the low-scoring win. The assist was Merrill's first point of the campaign, as the 30-year-old defenseman hasn't been able to get much going from a third-pairing role. He's added just seven shots on net, 17 blocked shots, nine hits and a minus-1 rating in 10 contests. Given his defensive role and corresponding lack of offense, he's not likely to be of service in most fantasy formats.
... See More... See Less
Wild's Jon Merrill: Doesn't have a point in 2022-23
Rotowire
Merrill has no points in eight games this season.
Merrill did record four goals and 20 points in 69 contests in 2021-22, but in terms of points-per-game that was actually the best season he's ever had. The 30-year-old defenseman has never been a major offensive contributor and that's not likely to change this season.
... See More... See Less
Wild's Jon Merrill: Set to return Saturday
Rotowire
Merrill (arm) is expected to play Saturday against Boston, per Michael Russo of The Athletic.
The Wild put Andrej Sustr on waivers Friday for the purpose of sending him to the AHL in anticipation of Merrill's return. As long as Merrill's healthy, he'll serve as a bottom-four defenseman. He had 20 points and 112 blocks in 69 contests in 2021-22.
... See More... See Less
Wild's Jon Merrill: Might return Saturday
Rotowire
Merrill (arm) might return to the lineup Saturday against Boston.
Merrill was cleared for contact on Oct. 12, but he needed additional time before being ready to make his season debut. Before he potentially returns Saturday, Minnesota is expected to play against Vancouver on Thursday without him. He had four goals and 20 points in 69 games while averaging 17:07 of ice time.
... See More... See Less
Wild's Jon Merrill: Cleared for contact
Rotowire
Merrill (arm) has been cleared for contact, but there's still no timetable for his return, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports.
Merrill will likely need to log at least a handful of full practices before making his season debut, but he's clearly making progress in his recovery. The 30-year-old defender collected 20 points through 69 contests last campaign.
... See More... See Less
Wild's Jon Merrill: Won't be ready for season opener
Rotowire
Merrill (arm) is expected to miss the first 5-10 games of the season, per Michael Russo of The Athletic.
Merrill sustained the injury during the world championships in May. He is skating at the Wild's training camp, but general manager Bill Guerin said he needs more time to recover. Merrill scored four goals and 20 points in 69 contests last season.
... See More... See Less
Wild's Jon Merrill: Appears ready for training camp
Rotowire
Merrill (arm) is slated to participate in the first day of on-ice activities at the Wild's training camp.
Merrill underwent an arm surgery after sustaining an injury at the World Championship in May. His status for training camp was initially in doubt, but it appears he's good to participate in some capacity. The 30-year-old will be in contention for a bottom-pairing role this year, and he has limited intrigue for fantasy managers.
... See More... See Less
Wild's Jon Merrill: May not be ready for camp
Rotowire
Merrill (arm) underwent offseason surgery and may not be available at the start of training camp, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports.
Merrill was injured at the World Championship in May. With the surgery, his status is in doubt, though the Wild are fairly strong at defense and won't need to rush the 30-year-old early in the campaign.
... See More... See Less
Wild's Jon Merrill: Hurt at Worlds
Rotowire
Merrill suffered an apparent arm injury in Thursday's matchup between the United States and Great Britain, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports.
There was no immediate update on Merrill following Thursday's tilt, but he didn't return to the game after logging just 1:11 of ice time. If there is even the hint of something serious, the Wild will almost certainly pull the 30-year-old defenseman out of the tournament. It was a fantastic regular season for Merrill, who managed to reach the 20-point threshold for the first time in his nine-year NHL career.
... See More... See Less
Wild's Jon Merrill: Garners helper
Rotowire
Merrill recorded an assist in Thursday's 5-1 loss to the Blues in Game 6.
Merrill set up Matt Dumba's third-period tally. The helper was Merrill's lone point in six playoff outings this season. The 30-year-old blueliner added seven shots on net, 12 blocked shots and a minus-6 rating in a third-pairing role, one that he's likely to continue in for 2022-23.
... See More... See Less
Wild's Jon Merrill: Cleared to return
Rotowire
Merrill (upper body) will be back in action versus Vancouver on Thursday, Jessi Pierce of NHL.com reports.
Merrill will be on the ice for the first time since March 31 versus the Penguins, a stretch of 10 games on the shelf due to his upper-body problem. Considering Merrill has gotten on the scoresheet in just one of his last 15 appearances, fantasy players shouldn't be expecting much the rest of the way.
... See More... See Less
Wild's Jon Merrill: Unavailable Tuesday
Rotowire
Merrill (upper body) is not playing Tuesday against Montreal, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports.
Merrill has now missed 10 consecutive games with his upper-body issue. The 30-year-old's next chance to dress will be Thursday against Vancouver.
