The Sharks' roster reshuffling this offseason continued on Monday, as the team announced it has acquired Nick Merkely from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for Christian Jaros.
"Nick is a competitive and skilled forward who was a first round draft selection in 2015," Sharks Assistant General Manager and San Jose Barracuda General Manager Joe Will said in a statement. "He has shown good progression in his young career and adds versatility to our organization's forward depth."
Merkley posted 10 points in 27 games for the Devils last season, and the 24-year-old also played five games for the Binghamton Devils in the AHL. Merkley also kept in shape during the pandemic by playing with Finnish club Ässät of the Liiga, scoring 13 points in 19 games before returning to the U.S. for the '20-21 NHL season.
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The 30th overall pick in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, Merkley identifies with general manager Doug Wilson's recent push to inject some youth into the Sharks' roster.
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Jaros played seven games for the Sharks this season and 11 in the AHL with the Barracuda, and the defenseman will sign a one-year contract with the Devils.
There doesn't appear to be any relation to Ryan Merkley, the Sharks' first-round pick in the 2018 NHL Draft.