Devils waive Nick Merkley

[JurassicTunga12]

Something we probably should do, so we won't.

[Hey Connor, It's Mess]

I'll admit that I haven't seen him play at all this year, but if a team as bad as New Jersey is waiving him... not exactly a ringing endorsement.

[boogerz]

Treliving should be giving Matthew Phillips a chance before he even thinks about picking up Merkley

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by boogerz

Treliving should be giving Matthew Phillips a chance before he even thinks about picking up Merkley

Phillips can actually skate,too.

[Spike Man]

I would love if the Flames claimed him. He played minor hockey and quadrant with my son and he is a great kid. I'm not sure where people are getting the idea that he is slow as he isn't. I watched both him and Brayden Point growing up and they are very similar. He has definitely had injury problems which have set him back. What he does have (again similar to Point) is a really quick brain. He reads the ice extremely well and finds passes that none of our current bottom group would find. If you look at the 2 assists he got against Washington on Sunday you will see what I mean. He was projected to go mid first round until he struggled with injury and ended up going 30th. There is a reason he was projected that high.

[Fighting Banana Slug]

I am sure he is a fine young man, but there is also a reason he was placed on waivers. He hasn't shown to be an NHL regular to date. With all waiver wire guys, I would be surprised if anyone picked him up.

[Heavy Jack]

I actually think there is a good chance the Flames end up taking a flyer on him.

[Burning Beard]

Free right winger who is a local? Doesn't hurt to try.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by boogerz

Treliving should be giving Matthew Phillips a chance before he even thinks about picking up Merkley

I feel like this is something Scorp should have said.
He even started the thread!

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by Spike Man

I would love if the Flames claimed him. He played minor hockey and quadrant with my son and he is a great kid. I'm not sure where people are getting the idea that he is slow as he isn't. I watched both him and Brayden Point growing up and they are very similar. He has definitely had injury problems which have set him back. What he does have (again similar to Point) is a really quick brain. He reads the ice extremely well and finds passes that none of our current bottom group would find. If you look at the 2 assists he got against Washington on Sunday you will see what I mean. He was projected to go mid first round until he struggled with injury and ended up going 30th. There is a reason he was projected that high.

How is he at grinding and ringing the puck around the boards to the far side D?

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

I feel like this is something Scorp should have said.

He even started the thread!

Phillips and Ruzicka have both fallen off a fair bit since Zary was returned to Kamloops. I think TheScorpion is sad.

Sent from my SM-G960W using Tapatalk

[TheScorpion]

Phillips was fantastic on Tuesday. No points, but he showed some excellent chemistry with Zavgorodniy.

He'll be fine. Not worried about him at all. With Merkley... might as well pick up another forward with upside if they're looking at moving Ryan/Bennett/Leivo for picks.

[Harry Lime]

I think Merkley is an average skater, or just below. His skating got a lot of press because of his knee reconstruction, but it doesn't seem to have hurt his offensive ability. I'm not sure about his ability to pivot and backcheck, because fewer people watch NJ games than watch Flames games.

Better shot in the dark player than Svechnikov.

[Spike Man]

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

How is he at grinding and ringing the puck around the boards to the far side D?

Haha, I believe our top line has that covered.

[DoubleK]

Claim him.

[Geeoff]

I wonder if the Devils have another move in play? Seems weird to send away a couple roster players and then also waive one. New Jersey's sort of in a weird spot, where I think they could try to get better rather than just strictly tank.

[sureLoss]

cleared

Chris Johnston @reporterchris
Martin Frk (LA), Nick Merkley (NJ) and Richard Panik (WSH) clear waivers.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

cleared

Chris Johnston @reporterchris
Martin Frk (LA), Nick Merkley (NJ) and Richard Panik (WSH) clear waivers.

I thought that would probably be the case. Not only do teams not want to take on salary, but I don't think they want to take on unnecessary expenses period... especially non-playoff teams.

Plus, I think Svechnikov was a better fit and they passed on him.

[powderjunkie]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

I thought that would probably be the case. Not only do teams not want to take on salary, but I don't think they want to take on unnecessary expenses period... especially non-playoff teams.

Plus, I think Svechnikov was a better fit and they passed on him.

That makes sense. I've been wondering what the SOP is for accommodating a newly acquired player, especially during COVID? A quick skim of the CBA and it looks like there are potential reimbursement costs related to their previous lodgings, and then they get a hotel room, rental car, and per diem for 21 days. Also a roundtrip flight for spouse/family.

Negligible in a normal year, but not this year.

[Jacks]

Originally Posted by bigrangy

I feel like the devils would have passed him around for a trade to everyone, conditional 7th or whatever, so he likely passes.

Not if they were hoping to keep him.