Merrill has just one assist and 21 PIMS in 12 games this season, but will be replaced by Brad Hunt on the third pairing tonight.
Merrill will play for the first time in five games as he draws in for the injured Luca Sbisa tonight vs. the Penguins. Merrill has barely played this season, collecting just one assist in five games.
With Luca Sbisa out, Merrill not Shea Theodore will draw into the lineup on Tuesday. Merrill will play for the first time since October 31st and has no points while averring 18:06 TOI/GM in three games this season.
Merrill played as a seventh defenseman with Joseph Blandisi out on Sunday, but with Blandisi returning from an illness, Merrill will serve as a healthy scratch vs. the Jets.
Merrill got into the lineup for the last three games with Yohann Auvitu sidelined with an upper-body injury. Auvitu will return tonight, so Merrill, who had no points in three games, will sit.
Merrill, 24, has spent the last three years with the Devils and with this signing will be with them for at least two more seasons. He is coming off of a disappointing year, having totalled just five points (1G / 4A) in 47 games, giving him 30 points (5G / 25A) in 165 career NHL games.
Merrill has been sidelined with an arm injury since January 16th, but it looks like he will replace Damon Severson in the lineup tonight. Merrill has just three points (1G / 2A) in 36 games this season.
Merrill has missed the last four games with an arm injury and will miss at least one more week. With Merrill out, the Devils recalled Seth Helgeson from Albany (AHL).
Merrill was a healthy scratch in the last two games, but will replace Eric Gelinas in the lineup tonight in Buffalo. Merrill has no points and a minus-5 rating in 23 games this season.
Merrill will be a healthy scratch for the second time in three games as Eric Gelinas will get back into the lineup tonight vs. the Red Wings. Merrill has no points and a minus-5 rating in 23 games this season.