Top prospects for San Jose Sharks

NHL.com is providing in-depth prospect analysis for each of its 31 teams from Nov. 16-Dec. 16. Today, the top five prospects for the San Jose Sharks, according to NHL.com.

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1. Ryan Merkley, D

How acquired:Selected with No. 21 pick in 2018 NHL Draft
2019-20 season: London (OHL): 60 GP, 15-61-76
The 20-year-old has offensive potential, having averaged more than one point per game over four seasons in the Ontario Hockey League (269 points in 248 games; 54 goals, 215 assists), and has shown he can run the power play, scoring eight goals with the man-advantage last season.
With defensemen Erik Karlsson and Brent Burns, there isn't a pressing need to get Merkley (5-foot-11, 170 pounds) to the NHL. He could play this season for San Jose of the American Hockey League before joining the Sharks for good.
"He had a huge year in London; he improved every year in the OHL statistically but also in the defensive aspects," Sharks director of scouting Doug Wilson Jr. said. "No rush with Ryan. We're just finally excited to have him in San Jose for the full season."
Projected NHL arrival: Next season

2. Joachim Blichfeld, F

How acquired:Selected with No. 210 pick in 2016 NHL Draft
2019-20 season: San Jose (NHL): 3 GP, 0-0-0; San Jose (AHL): 44 GP, 16-16-32
The 22-year-old right wing played most of last season in the AHL but got some NHL experience. Blichfeld (6-2, 180) has developed nicely for a seventh-round pick and will be counted on for offense in the NHL after he led the Western Hockey League with 114 points and tied for the lead in goals (53) with Portland in 2018-19.
"He's got one of the best shots for his age groups in pro hockey," Wilson said. "For what he did in the Western League and then to come to the American League as a first-year pro and be an AHL all-star and get an NHL recall right away, I think that's all really exciting. … We don't have too many right-shot forwards right now, and he has to see that opportunity and be able to seize it."
Projected NHL arrival: This season

3. Alexander Chmelevski, F

How acquired: Selected with No. 185 pick in 2017 NHL Draft
2019-20 season: San Jose (AHL): 42 GP, 11-16-27
The 21-year-old scored 35 goals and at least 75 points in back-to-back seasons with Ottawa of the OHL from 2017-19 and scored seven points (four goals, three assists) in seven games to help the United States finish second at the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship. Chmelevski (6-0, 180) likely will compete for a roster spot in Sharks training camp.
"He had an ankle injury in the first half of the year, so he was kind of in and out of the lineup," Wilson said. "He's a right shot, he can play center, he can play wing, he's got experience playing in the OHL for a high-end team in Ottawa. He's still in a development phase, but he's got the right mindset to come in and compete."
Projected NHL arrival: Next season

4. Alexei Melnichuk, G

How acquired: Signed as undrafted free agent May 4, 2020
2019-20 season: SKA St. Petersburg (KHL): 16 GP, 8-5-1, 1.68 GAA, .930 SV%
Melnichuk (6-2, 190) had four shutouts in the Kontinental Hockey League last season. The 22-year-old also played in the Supreme Hockey League (VHL), the second-highest level of professional hockey in Russia, and was 7-1-0 with a 1.95 goals-against average and .925 save percentage in eight games with Ska-Neva St. Petersburg.
"Alexei was just a big, big acquisition for us this year for our goalie depth," Wilson said. "To have a goalie of his age and athletic ability being able to come into training camp this year and already played 12, 13, 14 KHL games [this season], I think that's going to be huge from a competitive standpoint."
Projected NHL arrival: 2022-23

5. Ozzy Wiesblatt, F

How acquired: Selected with No. 31 pick in 2020 NHL Draft
2019-20 season: Prince Albert (WHL): 64 GP, 25-45-70
The 18-year-old right wing, who signed an entry-level contract with the Sharks on Oct. 16, was plus-20 in in the WHL last season, was second on Prince Albert in assists and points, and was third in goals. Wiesblatt (5-10, 183) scored 110 points (41 goals, 69 assists) in 129 WHL games.
"Ozzy for us, he's high energy, high speed, high puck pursuit and possession," Wilson said.
Projected NHL arrival: 2022-23