San Jose Sharks working to accommodate trade request from 2018 first-round pick Ryan Merkley

Merkley has struggled to gain much of a foothold in the Sharks’ system playing in just 39 NHL games since being drafted — all of which saw him score on goal and six points in the 2021-22 season. He’s been a staple for the Sharks’ AHL affiliate, the San Jose Barracuda, where over the last four seasons he’s posted two goals and 44 points in 93 games.

He’s missed games in each of his pro seasons never playing more than 31 games in a season for the Barracuda.

A highly touted prospect in his draft year largely for his massive offensive upside, there were more than enough questions about his defensive play and attitude issues seen in his draft year, the Santa Cruz Sentinel reported after he was drafted. While playing for the OHL’s Guelph Storm, there were multiple incidents that saw him healthy scratched for attitude issues and was once sent to the dressing room during a game for arguing with a coach, the Sentinel reported.

Still, then-GM Doug Wilson saw the upside in the player.

“We were looking for difference makers. At the No.21 spot, you have to take a little bit more risk. We spent a lot of time with this kid and we feel comfortable,” Wilson told the Sentinel in 2018, who went on to add Merkley’s behaviour issues stemmed from his competitiveness.

“He looked us right in the eye, didn’t deny things that he would do differently. Which is great. He’s just a young kid.”

Merkley said at the time he knew what he did wrong, and that his agent was helping him work on things.

“I know what I’ve done wrong. I know my bad habits. I know the areas I’ve got to work on if I want to get to the next level,” he said.

“My agent…set me up with a psychologist, a mental guy, to help me with those areas — it’s a big area. I’m going to be walking into a locker room with a bunch of men and dads and I can’t be acting like that.”

Now, Sharks GM Mike Grier will work to find a new home for one of their top defensive prospects.