The Providence Bruins are loaded with recent Boston Bruins’ draft picks and free agent signings, who the team will be calling on to take roster spots either later this season or certainly during the 2024-25 season. The team started slowly but has won three games in a row after a weekend sweep of the Hartford Wolf Pack. One of their top players has been center Georgii Merkulov, who has registered three goals and five assists in 13 games for the 6-4-1-2 Bruins. Merkulov has been playing on a line with 2021 first-round draft pick Fabian Lysell, who has four goals and eight assists, and the two young stars have been part of one of the top lines in the American Hockey League over the last week or so.
Merkulov is a 23-year-old Russian forward who is coming off a 55-point season last year with Providence. In his last ten games, Merkulov has two goals and three assists. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound center was signed by Boston after one season at Ohio State University, where he collected 20 goals and 14 assists in 36 games. Merkulov has now played 88 total games in the AHL and, registered 68 points, and was named to the AHL All-Rookie Team after the 2022-23 season.
With Boston searching for young center depth, the emergence of Matt Poitras has helped solidify the middle of the ice for Boston. But Merkulov is an important part of the Bruins’ future, and his production and willingness to play a two-way, 200-foot game. Providence Head Coach Ryan Mougenel said after a win over Hartford on November 10 that it was the best game he’s ever seen from Merkulov. His compete level all over the ice and playmaking were outstanding.
Overall, consistency is what sets apart young players and gives them a chance at the NHL level, and the Bruins will be looking for Merkulov to maintain consistency throughout the season. The Bruins 5-on-5 offensive production is down from last season and Georgii Merkulov might get the call to provide a boost offensively in Boston soon.
