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Vegas Golden Knights First Half Report Cards: Defensemen

By Richard Cardinale

LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 23: Nate Schmidt #88 of the Vegas Golden Knights warms up prior to the game against the Washington Capitals at T-Mobile Arena on December 23, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/NHLI via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 23: Nate Schmidt #88 of the Vegas Golden Knights warms up prior to the game against the Washington Capitals at T-Mobile Arena on December 23, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Jon Merrill

ANAHEIM, CA – DECEMBER 27: Jon Merrill #15 of the Vegas Golden Knights on the ice against the Anaheim Ducks on December 27, 2017, at Honda Center in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Debora Robinson/NHLI via Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA – DECEMBER 27: Jon Merrill #15 of the Vegas Golden Knights on the ice against the Anaheim Ducks on December 27, 2017, at Honda Center in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Debora Robinson/NHLI via Getty Images) /

When the Knights acquired Jon Merrill at the expansion draft, I immediately said seventh defensemen. And it turns out that’s what he is today. Merrill has been a bit underwhelming, but it’s hard to muster up any momentum with just 14 games played.

In those 14 games, he only scored one goal and one assist with a +5 rating. He’s not an offensive defenseman by any stretch. However, I will say this; He doesn’t make too many mistakes in the little ice time he gets.

He’s averaging only 16:15 of ice time and that’s not earning Gallant’s trust just yet. He’s giving an honest effort every time he goes out on the ice. But I’m not entirely sure if he’ll stick with this Golden Knights team for much longer especially with Brad Hunt lurking.

Grade: D+

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