Merkley has played in seven straight games, registering one goal and two assists. He'll be replaced by Jonah Gadjovich on the fourth line.
Merkley was originally a first-round pick of the Coyotes but was traded to the Devils as a part of the Taylor Hall trade in 2019. The 24-year-old winger had 10 points (2G / 8A) in 27 games with New Jersey and added three points (1G / 2A) in five AHL games a year ago. In San Jose, he should be a candidate to play in their bottom-6 to begin 2021-22.
Merkley is expected to replace Jesper Boqvist in the Devils lineup and skate on a line with Pavel Zacha and Nikita Gusev. The 23-year-old had one goal and one assist in four games with the Devils in 2020 and 13 points (4G / 9A) in 19 games with Assat Pori of the Finnish elite league during a COVID loan.
Merkley, who was a 2015 first-round pick (No.30 overall) who has 16 points (3G / 13A) in 26 games with Tucson (AHL) this season. He has appeared in just one career NHL game. He is expected to report to Binghamton (AHL).
Merkley, who was the No.30 overall pick in 2015, has collected 12 goals and 12 assists (24 points) in his first 20 career AHL games with Tucson. There’s no word who Merkley will replace in the lineup or who he will skate with.