One of the most highly talked about prospects in the Boston Bruins system the last few years has been Georgii Merkulov, ever since he signed with the team out of Ohio State at the end of the 2021-22 season.
The ability to put the puck in the net like he has is a strong one, but the Bruins have focused on rounding out his defensive abilities, as he has spent the bulk of his pro career at center. After spending the entire 2022-23 season with the Providence Bruins, Merkulov got into four NHL games in 2023-24 and six in 2024-25.
He has just one point in those 10 games while averaging 12:28 of ice time per game, having been unable to solidify a spot in the lineup with the time he has gotten. With so many players in the mix for playing time in the Bruins’ bottom six entering training camp, Merkulov seems likely to be on the outside looking in, even after being re-signed to a one-year contract in the offseason.
As such, the bulk of his playing time will likely be spent with the P-Bruins again. With that chance, however, Merkulov is in a prime position to put himself in rarified air in the team’s scoring ranks.
Over 201 regular season games with the P-Bruins, Merkulov has 70 goals to his name, which puts him fourth all-time in team history for most goals in a P-Bruins uniform. He would need only six goals this season to surpass Craig Cunningham, who has 75 goals with Providence, for the third-highest.
After picking up five points split between a goal and four assists in 2021-22, Merkulov had 24 goals and 31 assists in 2022-23, 30 goals and 35 assists in 2023-24, and 15 goals and 39 assists last season in 59 games. He probably could’ve passed Cunningham last season if it weren’t for a collarbone injury he suffered in April that ended up costing him the rest of his season.
After Cunningham, the second-highest number of goals in Providence history is 83, which belongs to Sergejs Zoltoks, who played for the team from 1992 to 1995. The current goal champion in Providence is Andy Hilbert, who had 101 goals from 2001-2005.
While it would take an incredible season for Merkulov to surpass Hilbert in first, he has a very strong and realistic chance to end up in second by season’s end, as it would require him to have only one less goal than he did last year. Keep your eyes peeled for some Georgii Merkulov goals in 2025-26.
Season 4. Episode 41. Is It Time Yet? – Bruins Benders Podcast
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