Georgii Merkulov Is Making a Statement in Providence - and Boston Should Be Listening
The NHL has hit pause for the Olympic break, and over in the AHL, it’s All-Star time. But if there’s one player who probably wishes the calendar would keep rolling, it’s Georgii Merkulov. The Providence Bruins forward is red-hot right now - and that might even be underselling it.
Providence wrapped up its pre-break schedule with a gritty 2-1 shootout win over the Hartford Wolf Pack on Saturday night. Merkulov, a 25-year-old undrafted gem out of Ohio State, sealed the win with the game-deciding goal in the shootout.
It was a fitting exclamation point to what’s been a remarkable run for the Russian forward, who recently became Providence’s all-time leader in points. And with the way he’s playing, it’s fair to wonder just how much longer he’ll be lighting it up in the AHL.
Through 42 games this season, Merkulov has tallied 16 goals and 19 assists for 35 points. Providence has rattled off 10 straight wins, and Merkulov has been right in the middle of that surge. He’s riding a five-game point streak, and his plus-12 rating - while not the be-all, end-all stat - does speak to the impact he’s having on both ends of the ice.
But here’s the thing: Merkulov isn’t just producing. He’s producing consistently, in meaningful moments, for a team that’s rolling. That kind of performance tends to get noticed - especially by NHL clubs dealing with depth issues.
And right now, the Boston Bruins are one of those clubs.
Boston is navigating some injury turbulence, most notably with Pavel Zacha sidelined by an upper-body injury that will keep him out through the Olympic break. Elias Lindholm has also missed time and was placed on injured reserve before the break. In response, the Bruins called up Matthew Poitras for their Florida swing against the Lightning and Panthers.
So where does that leave Merkulov?
That’s the million-dollar question. Boston head coach Marco Sturm has been leaning on his bottom-six forwards to step into bigger roles out of necessity. There’s talent there, but also a clear opportunity for someone like Merkulov to step in and make an impact - especially if injuries continue to pile up.
At 5-foot-11, Merkulov isn’t going to overpower opponents, but he doesn’t need to. His game is built on skill, vision, and a knack for finding soft spots in the defense. He’s the kind of player who can bring some scoring punch and creativity to a lineup that could use a jolt in the middle six.
There’s also the trade deadline looming next month, and it’s possible Merkulov could be part of any moves Boston makes. But right now, he’s doing everything in his power to earn a look with the big club. He’s not just putting up numbers - he’s leading a surging Providence team, showing poise in clutch moments, and proving he can be a difference-maker.
The AHL All-Star Classic kicks off in Rockford, Illinois, from Feb. 10-11, and Merkulov will get another stage to showcase his game. After that, it’s back to business - and if the Bruins are paying attention, they might realize the answer to some of their depth questions is already in the system, playing lights-out hockey down in Providence.
One thing’s clear: Georgii Merkulov isn’t just knocking on the door. He’s kicking it down.