Merrill netted a goal and blocked three shots in Thursday's 4-2 win over the Capitals.

EDGE Analysis

Merrill's tally opened the scoring in Thursday's contest just six minutes into the first period. With the goal, the 33-year-old blueliner snapped a 28-game scoreless drought dating back to Jan. 7 where he scored his first goal of the season. Merrill now has five points and 44 shots on net in 62 appearances this season. While he has struggled offensively, Merrill has 79 blocked shots this season with 40 blocks during his scoreless drought. It is best to fade Merrill in fantasy formats.

Merrill played in his sixth straight game in Tuesday's 2-1 shootout win over the Avalanche.

EDGE Analysis

Merrill has gone minus-3 in that span, and his overall point drought is up to 21 games. Still, the Wild appear to trust him to fill in on the third pairing while Jonas Brodin (lower body) is out rather than moving a different blueliner to their off side to get David Jiricek in action. Merrill has just four points, 37 shots on net, 71 blocked shots, 31 hits and a minus-5 rating over 54 appearances this season.

Merrill's point drought reached 14 games in Saturday's 6-3 win over the Islanders.

EDGE Analysis

Merrill had been a healthy scratch the previous game. The Wild are short on players, so he had to fill in as a seventh defenseman when Joel Eriksson Ek (lower body) couldn't suit up. Merrill has a meager four points with 33 shots on net, 63 blocked shots and a minus-2 rating over 47 appearances this season, so it's not like he's going to be a realistic fantasy option in most formats.

Merrill scored a goal and added two PIM in Tuesday's 6-4 win over the Blues.

EDGE Analysis

The Wild's defense started the scoring party Tuesday, with Merrill getting his first goal of the season 2:12 into the first period to establish a 2-0 lead. The 32-year-old blueliner hasn't even been a lock for the lineup at times this year, but with injury concerns for Jared Spurgeon (lower body) and Brock Faber (upper body), Merrill will likely play regularly over the next few weeks. Overall, Merrill has four points, 21 shots on net, 36 blocked shots, 18 hits and 14 PIM through 33 appearances in 2024-25 while filling a bottom-four role.

Merrill recorded an assist and two PIM in Saturday's 4-1 win over the Flyers.

EDGE Analysis

Merrill looks set to stay in the lineup since Jacob Middleton (hand) was injured Thursday versus the Oilers and will be out until January. The 32-year-old Merrill has chipped in two assists over his last four contests, giving him three helpers over 23 outings this season. The veteran blueliner has added 19 shots on net, eight PIM, nine hits and 27 blocked shots in a third-pairing role.

Merrill logged an assist and two blocked shots in Saturday's 4-1 loss to the Kings.

EDGE Analysis

Merrill was in the lineup for the sixth game in a row -- he's been filling in while Jonas Brodin (upper body) is out of action. Merrill is more of a pure defensive player and typically won't see a large role. He's at two assists, 15 shots on net, 25 blocked shots and a minus-2 rating over 20 appearances this season. While he's had steady playing time recently, one of Merrill or Zach Bogosian may be at risk of losing playing time once David Jiricek makes his team debut.

Merrill was scratched for the seventh time over 12 games in November when he sat out Monday's 4-1 loss to the Jets.

EDGE Analysis

Declan Chisholm and Zach Bogosian have been the most frequent third-pairing combination this month. Merrill saw steadier playing time in October while Jared Spurgeon dealt with an injury. Over 14 appearances this season, Merrill has one assist, nine shots on net, 18 blocked shots and a minus-1 rating. The 32-year-old veteran can step into the lineup whenever there's an injury concern, but he's unlikely to make a positive impact for fantasy.

Merrill posted an assist in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Blue Jackets.

EDGE Analysis

Merrill helped out on a Mats Zuccarello tally in the third period. The assist was Merrill's first point in five games, and he's added three shots on net, seven blocked shots, four hits and a plus-1 rating. The 32-year-old defenseman is locked into a bottom-pairing role, and there's a chance he loses his place in the lineup once Jared Spurgeon (lower body) is able to resume playing. Spurgeon is having his workload managed following hip and back surgeries earlier in 2024, which leaves the door open for Merrill to still get a fair amount of playing time, albeit in a limited role.

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.