Merrill notched two assists in Saturday's 6-2 win over the Sharks.

EDGE Analysis

Merrill snapped a 10-game point drought with the primary helper on a Declan Chisholm tally in the first period, and he also assisted on Marcus Johansson's third-period marker. The 32-year-old Merrill has seen steady playing time lately, but usually in a third-pairing role. He's at 11 points, 41 shots on net, 56 blocked shots, 30 PIM and an even plus-minus rating through 63 appearances this season.

Merrill found the back of the net in Saturday's 3-1 loss to the Blues.

EDGE Analysis

Merrill beat Jordan Binnington from the high slot with what appeared to be a sleepy wrist shot. The veteran defenseman will strike every so often, but Merrill should be left on the waiver wire as he's averaging just 12:54 of ice time with three goals and four assists through 44 games.

Merrill was credited with a goal on two shots in Saturday's 3-2 loss to the Ducks.

EDGE Analysis

Merrill got credit for the Wild's second goal, despite replays that made it look like Mats Zuccarello's shot got through cleanly. If it stands, it's Merrill's first point since Dec. 18. He had gone 11 contests without a point and was a healthy scratch over the last six games before drawing in with the Wild turning to seven defensemen Saturday. The 31-year-old Merrill has five points, 18 shots on net, 24 blocked shots, 18 hits, 24 PIM and a minus-3 rating through 33 appearances this season.

Merrill scored a goal on three shots and added a blocked shot and a plus-1 rating in Sunday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Maple Leafs.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran blueliner opened the scoring less than three minutes into the first period, beating Joseph Woll over his glove on a wicked snapshot from the high slot. It's Merrill's first goal of the year and his third point in 12 games. Given that his career highs on a season are four goals and 20 points -- set in 2021-22, his first campaign with the Wild -- it's unlikely he's going to suddenly become a fantasy asset.

Merrill recorded an assist in Thursday's 6-2 defeat to the Flyers.

EDGE Analysis

While Merrill does have two assists through the first seven matches of the season, he remains goalless to open the 2023-24 campaign. Considering the blueliner has managed a mere four shots so far, it shouldn't come as a surprise that he hasn't found the back of the net yet. Merrill has just one 20-point season in his 11-year NHL career, so fantasy players probably shouldn't expect him to emerge as an offensive force in 2023-24.

Merrill (illness) will rejoin the Wild for Sunday's matchup with the Blue Jackets, per Dane Mizutani of the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

EDGE Analysis

Merrill missed Minnesota's last two contests while recovering from an illness. The 31-year-old blueliner has two goals and eight assists through 53 games this season, averaging 14:49 minutes in a bottom-pairing role.

Merrill (illness) will not play Thursday in Columbus, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Merrill and Jonas Brodin (lower body) will be out of the lineup and will be replaced by Calen Addison and Dakota Mermis. Merrill is not on the road trip which will see the Wild travel to Toronto on Friday. He has two goals and 10 points with 67 blocks and 34 hits in 53 games this season.

Merrill logged a goal, two blocked shots, and a hit in Tuesday's 4-3 loss to the Rangers.

EDGE Analysis

Merrill opened the scoring in the first period, beating Igor Shesterkin with a shot through traffic. It's Merrill's first goal since Dec. 7 and his first point in five games. The 30-year-old blueliner now has two goals and seven assists through 36 games after posting a career-best 20 points last season. Merrill doesn't offer much upside in a third-pairing role, averaging 15:51 of ice time.

Merrill provided an assist in Thursday's 5-2 loss to the Sharks.

EDGE Analysis

Merrill set up Joel Eriksson Ek's first-period goal. The assist was Merrill's first point since a two-point effort Dec. 7 versus the Flames. In the seven scoreless outings in between, he went plus-3 with five hits, four blocked shots and four shots on goal. The 30-year-old defenseman has maintained a fairly steady third-pairing role with seven points, 22 shots on net, 37 blocked shots, 21 hits, 12 PIM and an even plus-minus rating through 29 contests.

Merrill scored a goal and registered an assist in a 5-3 loss to Calgary on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Merrill found the back of the net at 15:45 of the third period to even the game at 3-3, but Calgary retook the lead just 12 seconds later. Merrill has a goal and six points in 21 contests. The 30-year-old typically isn't much of an offensive contributor, but he does have four points in his last four games.