Rookie Faceoff Takeaways on Merkley, Kniazev, Beaupit & More (+)

Could Ryan Merkley be the most NHL-ready San Jose Sharks prospect?

That’s what an NHL scout suggested to San Jose Hockey Now during the Rookie Faceoff.

It makes sense, he’s a 2018 first-round pick and the Sharks offer a world of opportunity on their shallow blueline, especially on the second power play unit.

But don’t take that as a “Merkley has arrived” proclamation – it speaks to a Rookie Faceoff where there weren’t a lot of clear-cut immediate NHL’ers for any team, according to SJHN’s conversations with scouts.

We’ve already talked about San Jose Sharks forward prospects like William Eklund, Thomas Bordeleau, and more here:

Forward Focus: Sharks Rookie Faceoff Takeaways on Eklund, Bordeleau & More

Now let’s talk defensemen and goaltending.

Here are my takeaways, along with San Jose Barracuda head coach John McCarthy, assistant coach Kyle Hagel, and NHL scouts’ thoughts about Merkley, Artemi Kniazev, Santeri Hatakka, Mason Beaupit, Strauss Mann, and more.