Man of the Week: Nick Merkley

KHL.ru’s weekly column returns with Nick Merkley. The Canadian forward was instrumental in Dynamo Moscow’s return to victory on Sunday, with the Blue-and-Whites celebrating a 4-3 OT win over SKA to halt a six-game skid.

Nick Merkley gave Dynamo Moscow a much-needed spark on Sunday, scoring twice against SKA as the Blue-and-Whites finally ended a six-game losing streak. His goals helped the Muscovites build a 3-1 advantage, although the visitors fought back to force overtime. Pavel Shen eventually secured a 4-3 victory for Leonids Tambijevs’ team, delivering SKA a fourth defeat in five games. For Dynamo, it was a welcome return to winning ways after a difficult stretch that had seen the team fall outside the Western Conference playoff places.

Merkley’s contribution could prove crucial as Dynamo looks to get its season back on track. The Canadian forward arrived in Moscow after a strong 2025-2026 campaign with the Shanghai Dragons, where he led the team in both goals and points. His offensive instincts are exactly what the Blue-and-Whites need as they try to climb the standings and secure a playoff berth under Tambijevs, who took over ahead of the new season following a turbulent previous campaign that saw Alexei Kudashov and Vyacheslav Kozlov occupy the head coaching position. With Dynamo searching for consistency, Merkley’s ability to produce goals and create chances will be increasingly important.

Early years 

Born in Calgary, Alberta, on May 23, 1997, Merkley developed his game in the Western Hockey League, joining the Kelowna Rockets as a teenager back in 2013. He quickly established himself as an effective offensive weapon, combining playmaking ability with a keen eye for goal. In his first WHL season, he recorded 58 (25+33) points in 66 regular-season games and was named the league’s Rookie of the Year.

Merkley continued to improve, becoming one of Kelowna’s leading scorers and helping the Rockets win the WHL championship in 2015. He finished that playoff run with 27 (5+22) points in 19 games, leading the league in assists and being one of the league’s most productive young forwards.

Consequently, the Arizona Coyotes selected Merkley with the 30th overall pick in the first round of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.

Climbing up 

Merkley began his professional career with the Tucson Roadrunners in the AHL before making his NHL debut with Arizona in 2017. He subsequently spent time with the New Jersey Devils and San Jose Sharks organizations, appearing in the NHL and AHL as he continued to seek a regular role at the highest level. Across his NHL career, he recorded 15 (4+11) points in 41 appearances.

In 2020, Merkley also took a brief detour to Finland, joining Assat Pori during the 2020-2021 season. The experience gave him an opportunity to play in European hockey before he eventually made a more permanent move overseas.

His next destination was the KHL. In 2022, Merkley signed with Dinamo Minsk and immediately became an important part of the Belarusian club’s offense. He recorded 40 (20+20) points in his first KHL regular season, then followed that with 32 (16+16) in 65 games in 2023-2024. His two seasons in Belarus established him as a productive forward capable of making a difference in the League. 

New challenge 

After leaving Minsk, Merkley joined Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg for the 2024-2025 campaign, where his production went down to only 20 (11+9) points in 59 games for the Motormen. He subsequently found his scoring touch again with the Shanghai Dragons, registering a career-high 45 (24+21) points in 68 appearances during the 2025-2026 season, also serving as an alternate captain. That production made him one of the most prominent offensive players on the team and attracted Dynamo’s attention during the summer.

The move to Moscow offers Merkley a fresh opportunity to demonstrate his value on a team with playoff ambitions. However, Dynamo’s uneven start has placed added pressure on its forwards to deliver consistently.

However, against SKA, Merkley’s finishing ability helped Dynamo establish control of the game, and his two goals showed why the club brought him in. As Tambijevs works to find the right balance and restore consistency, the Canadian will be expected to remain a central figure in the attack. If he can maintain his scoring touch, Merkley could play a major role in getting the Blue-and-Whites back into the playoff picture in the Western Conference.