The Montreal Canadiens, on Sunday afternoon, announced their acquisition of defenceman Jon Merrill from the Detroit Red Wings. In return, the team sent Detroit their 2021 fifth-round draft pick and minor-league forward Hayden Verbeek.
The Canadiens have acquired defenseman Jon Merrill from the Detroit Red Wings, in return for a fifth-round pick in 2021 and forward Hayden Verbeek.#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/BEiUjl9zx7
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) April 11, 2021
Jon Merrill Traded to Montreal Canadiens By Detroit
Montreal will be Merrill’s fourth NHL team, and his third in the past two years. After being selected 38th overall by the New Jersey Devils in 2010, Merrill finally made his NHL debut with the Devils in 2013-14. In addition to the Devils and Red Wings, Merrill was a member of the inaugural Vegas Golden Knights. He played with them from their inception in 2017-18. That’s until he signed as a free agent with Detroit this past offseason.
In 36 games with Detroit this year, Merrill tallied just five assists. He’s not known for being an offensive talent, however. He’s tallied just 12 goals and 54 assists across his 392-game NHL career.
How This Impacts the Canadiens
Merrill arrives in Montreal as an acquisition that should help balance out the hole Ben Chiarot‘s left in the lineup with his injury. An extremely solid defensive defenceman, Merrill has demonstrated the ability to play up and down the lineup throughout his career. As a younger d-man in New Jersey, he sometimes eclipsed over 20 minutes a night. While those days were left behind in Vegas, as he was often a healthy scratch, Merrill’s been given more responsibility this year in Detroit. Entrusted with a second-pairing role, Merrill’s still put up solid defensive metrics against tougher competition.
In short, he’ll give coach Dominique Ducharme some flexibility as the Habs approach the playoffs. It’s unknown where he’ll slot into the lineup, but he’ll add to a solid defensive left side with Joel Edmundson and Brett Kulak.
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