Ryan Merkley

Ryan Merkley

23-Year-Old DefensemanD
 Free Agent  
Free Agent
2023 Fantasy Outlook
There was no outlook written for Ryan Merkley in 2023. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.
$Signed a one-year contract with KHL Kunlun in August of 2023.
Signs one-year contract in KHL
DFree Agent
August 18, 2023
Merkley signed a one-year contract with Kunlun of the KHL on Friday.
ANALYSIS
Merkley spent last season in the AHL, scoring a pair of goals with six assists in 28 games with the Eagles. He started the season with AHL San Jose, managing 14 assists in 30 games before he was dealt to Colorado with Matt Nieto for Jacob MacDonald and Martin Kaut. Merkley has been a bit of a disappointment after being drafted 21st overall in 2018. He'll try to get his career back on track with Kunlun, the lone KHL team playing in China.
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NHL Stats
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2022
2021
2022 NHL Game Log
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2021 NHL Game Log
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2023–24 Time On Ice Stats
 
Ice Time
Power Play
Short-Handed
2021–22
15:23
1:24
0:03
Latest Fantasy Rumors
Expected to sign in KHL
DFree Agent
August 18, 2023
Merkley is expected to sign a contract with Kunlun of the KHL, according to Brennan Vogt of The-Rink.com.
ANALYSIS
Merkley has been a disappointment since he was drafted in the first round, 21st overall, by the Sharks in 2018. He played 39 games for San Jose during the 2021-22 season, scoring once and adding five assists.
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Past Fantasy Outlooks
2020
2018
Merkley tore up the OHL in 2019-20, accumulating 15 goals and 76 points for the London Knights. The 20-year-old right-shot blueliner will likely compete for a third-pairing job during the Sharks' training camp, but he'll need to outplay Jacob Middleton to get the roster spot. It's entirely possible Merkley will require a year or two of seasoning in the AHL, but dynasty managers will want to keep an eye on his progress regardless of where he plays. The first-round pick from 2018 is on the fast track to the NHL and should make a big impact when he can stay with the big club full time.
Merkley could have given Dylan Strome a run for his money as AHL Tucson's regular-season point leader if not for a lower-body injury that sidelined him for the remainder of his first full professional season. A 21-year-old winger, Merkley is definitely in the running to crack the fourth line to start the 2018-19 season, as he compiled 39 points (18 goals, 21 assists) in 38 contests with Tucson. But the major concern is his injury history. A collarbone issue crept up on him in training camp to start the 2015-16 season, a torn ACL surfaced later that year, and he sustained an assortment of bumps and bruins prior to being shut down with yet another lower-body injury last March. Merkley logged 13:30 in his lone game with the Coyotes in 2018, and health permitting, he figures to receive more opportunities this coming season.
More Fantasy News
Acquired by Avalanche
DColorado Avalanche  Foreign
January 25, 2023
Merkley was acquired along with Matt Nieto by Colorado from San Jose in exchange for Jacob MacDonald and Martin Kaut on Wednesday.
ANALYSIS
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Loaned to AHL
DSan Jose Sharks  Foreign
October 1, 2022
Merkley was reassigned to the AHL on Saturday.
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Logs power-play helper
DSan Jose Sharks  Foreign
March 30, 2022
Merkley posted a power-play assist, two hits and two blocked shots in Wednesday's 5-2 loss to the Coyotes.
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Pockets assist in win
DSan Jose Sharks  Foreign
March 27, 2022
Merkley notched an assist and two PIM in Saturday's 4-1 win over the Ducks.
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Joins big club
DSan Jose Sharks  Foreign
March 21, 2022
Merkley was recalled from AHL San Jose on Monday, Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now reports.
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