In the world of hockey, it's not uncommon to see former NHL talents making waves overseas, and that's exactly what Nick Merkley has accomplished in the KHL. After four years out of the NHL, the former New Jersey Devils forward has found his stride with the Shanghai Dragons, formerly known as Kunlun Red Star.
Merkley etched his name into the franchise's history books by becoming the all-time single-season goal-scoring leader with his 24th goal, even in a 5-3 loss to Salavat Yulaev Ufa. This milestone also pushed him to 45 points for the season, surpassing longtime captain Brandon Yip for the most points in a single season for the Dragons.
His teammate, Borna Rendulic, is nipping at his heels with 20 goals and 44 points, but with only two regular-season games left, Merkley holds the edge in this record-setting race.
Previously, Yip held the franchise record for goals in a season with 21, until Devin Brosseau topped it in the 2023-24 season with 23 goals. Now, Merkley leads the pack with 24 goals and counting.
Despite the individual success, Merkley, Rendulic, and the Dragons have struggled collectively, sitting with just 16 wins in 66 games, which means they won't be competing in the Gagarin Cup playoffs this year.
At 28, Merkley's journey has been interesting. After leaving the Devils in 2021, he had a brief stint with the San Jose Sharks, appearing in nine games and contributing a goal and two assists. Most of that season saw him in the AHL, where he racked up 16 goals and 30 assists over 59 games before making the leap to the KHL.
Since joining Russia's top league, Merkley has played 257 games, notching 71 goals and 66 assists across four seasons with teams like Shanghai, Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg, and Dinamo Minsk. His current performance has certainly put him back on the map, showcasing his skills on an international stage.