With the 25th Overall Pick, The Toronto Maple Leafs Select… Ryan Merkley?

Ryan Merkley is easily the most controversial player in this year’s draft. Merkley is a local, having been born in Mississauga and played for the Toronto Jr. Canadians teams in the GTBHL and the GTMMHL (His Bantam and Midget years, respectively) which is a program that has produced the likes of Tyler Toffoli, Jakob Chychrun and Tyler Biggs (alarm bells, anyone?).

In the 2016 OHL Priority Selection, Merkley was drafted 1^st overall to the Guelph Storm. In his rookie year with Guelph, he lead the team in scoring with 55 pts in 62 GP, becoming the first rookie in franchise history to lead the team in points and hauling in some hardware in doing so, such as Rookie of the Year and was named the “Top Playmaker”.

Ranked #25 by FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS

Ranked #31 by MCKEEN’S HOCKEY

Ranked #45 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skaters)

As stated, Merkley was slightly under a point per game player in his rookie year, but in his draft year, he expanded on this point total achieving 67 pts in 63 GP. In the past year, the Guelph Storm found themselves in the playoffs, in which the Storm were ousted in game 6 of the first round. Merkley scored a goal and 5 assists in the series, maintaining a point per game. Among 17 year old defenseman, Merkley finished 1^st among in primary assists, 2^nd in primary points and 2^nd in total points.

In the 10 game sample, Merkley fared extremely well, minus some of his work in the neutral zone. As can be seen in the highlight video attached to this article, Merkley’s work with the puck on his stick is incredible, and this sample further promotes that fact. He leaves a great deal to be desired defensively, but on a pretty weak Guelph team, his work offensively overpowers his defensive struggles.

There is no doubt about it, Markley is an elite offensive talent. From the eye test to deeper looks at his stats, he likely has an incredible ceiling as an offensive RHD. Merkley is a polarizing player, as someone with his offensive talent would usually be projected in the top 10, yet there have been numerous rumors surrounding his apparent attitude issues. On top of this, his defensive game is a significant concern. Just last year, the Leafs selected a RHD who’s stock had slid before the draft (albeit for very different reasons) and honestly, if given that opportunity for an RHD with a possible elite offensive ceiling, you have to take it and figure out the issues later. It is quite likely that another team has already taken a chance with Merkley before the Leafs pick at 25, but if he remains, the Leafs could find themselves with another RHD with a possible elite ceiling who can practically run a powerplay on his own. When it comes down to it Ryan Merkley would be a high risk pick, with a good chance of a fantastic payoff.

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