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BREAKING: Former 1st round pick and top PROSPECT requests a TRADE

Published January 3, 2023 at 2:07 PM
BY RYAN

We've seen on occasions where certain players don't thrive well on certain teams due to their system and style of play.

When a player gets drafted in the first round, a lot of pressure gets put on them and when they aren't an immediate success, sometimes they get put in the minors and get overtaken by other players in the system.

Well, that is the case for this 2018 first overall pick who has now requested a trade.

Ryan Merkley was drafted 21st overall back in 2018 by the San Jose Sharks, but he was projected to go much higher. There was a rumour at the time that he had an attitude problem, which saw him get traded in the OHL, and caused him to fall in the draft rankings.


Since being drafted, he has spent the majority of his time in the AHL, but saw 39 games in the National Hockey League last season where he scored 1 goal and 5 assists.


This right handed offensive minded defenceman is still young, only 22 years old, so there is still plenty of time for him to develop into that elite offensive defenceman he was projected to be, but it sounds like he doesn't want to be that player for the San Jose Sharks.

Sources say #sjsharks have made 2018 first-round pick D Ryan Merkley available. Merkley recently requested a trade and Sharks are trying to accommodate.

Merkley, 22, has played 39 NHL games and still has waiver eligibility.

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January 3   |   107 answers
BREAKING: Former 1st round pick and top PROSPECT requests a TRADE

Will someone trade for him?

yes6560.7 %
no4239.3 %
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