Merrill, 29 (2/3/92), has recorded 11 points (3-8=11), a plus-8 rating and 51 blocked shots in 33 games with Minnesota this season. His goal total ties his career high set in 2018-19 and his point total is the highest since 2018-19. Merrill ranks T-1st on the team in blocked shots and third in shorthanded time on ice. He recorded a career-best eight blocked shots at Los Angeles on Dec. 11, 2021, T-2nd most in franchise history. The 6-foot-3, 195-pound native of Oklahoma City, Okla., owns 77 points (15-62=77), 221 penalty minutes (PIM), 389 hits and 558 blocked shots in 438 career NHL games during nine seasons with New Jersey, Vegas, Detroit, Montreal and Minnesota (2013-22). Merrill has appeared in 29 career Stanley Cup Playoff games with the Golden Knights and Canadiens.
He was signed to a one-year contract by Minnesota on July 29, 2021. Merrill was originally selected by the Devils in the second round (38th overall) of the 2010 NHL Draft.
Minnesota hosts the Anaheim Ducks on Friday at 7 p.m. on Bally Sports North and KFAN 100.3 FM.
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