24 Jon Merrill D

Merrill (COVID-19 protocols) isn't expected to be available for Friday's clash with Chicago, NHL.com reports.

Merrill was just placed on the NHL's COVID-19 protocol list Thursday, and at this point there's no telling when he'll be cleared to return. Alex Biega may get the first crack at replacing Merrill in the lineup against the Blackhawks on Friday.

Merrill was added to the NHL's COVID-19 protocol list Thursday, Sportsnet's Chris Johnston reports.

The Red Wings haven't ruled Merrill out of Friday's matchup with Chicago, but he should be considered iffy at best for that contest at this point. If Merrill's unable to go, Alex Biega or Dennis Cholowski will likely draw into the lineup against the Blackhawks.

Merrill registered an assist in Tuesday's 3-2 overtime win over the Blue Jackets.

Merrill set up the red-hot Bobby Ryan for the Red Wings' second goal of the contest. That helper was Merrill's first in four games a Wing. He joined the team on a one-year deal in October and he's worked in a top-four role after being a depth option for three years in Vegas. Merrill had just seven points with a plus-9 rating in 49 games last year, but a larger role in 2020-21 should allow the 28-year-old a chance to reach double-digits in points.

Merrill signed a one-year, $925,00 deal with Detroit on Friday.

Merrill spent the last three campaigns with the Golden Knights, posting a modest 25 points through 140 regular-season games. Over his seven-year NHL career -- the rest of which was spent with New Jersey -- the Oklahoma City native has recorded 61 points through 356 contests, so we definitely wouldn't expect him to suddenly become a scoring machine with the lack of supporting cast in Detroit.

Merrill is a healthy scratch in Tuesday's Game 5 against Vancouver.

Merrill posted seven points in 49 games this season. Funny enough, he saw his first game action since March 9 in Game 4 on Sunday and produced an assist in 14:08 of ice time, but it evidently wasn't enough to keep him in the lineup. Nick Holden is back in action in Merrill's place.

Merrill posted an assist and two hits in Sunday's 5-3 loss to the Canucks in Game 4.

Merrill's first playoff game also yielded his first point of the postseason. His assist came on Nate Schmidt's game-tying goal in the third period. Merrill managed seven points, 71 blocked shots and a plus-9 rating in 49 regular-season contests. Nick Holden has seen most of the playing time on the third pairing with Zach Whitecloud during the playoffs -- that has left Merrill as a healthy scratch more often than not.

Merrill generated two goals, five assists and a plus-9 rating through 49 games prior to the season's suspension.

A well-rounded blueliner, Merill is capable of chipping in on both ends of the ice, as he's also produced 51 hits and 71 blocked shots as part of the 2019-20 campaign. Vegas acquiring Alec Martinez at the trade deadline cut into Merrill's opportunities, but the latter can be relied upon in a pinch if the NHL campaign ultimately resumes.

Merrill registered an assist, two hits and two blocked shots in Thursday's 6-5 overtime win over the Blues.

Merrill's been on a surge (by his standards) with three points in his last four games. The 28-year-old has seven points, 68 blocks, 47 hits and 26 PIM through 45 contests -- he doesn't typically produce enough offense to earn fantasy attention.

Merrill buried a goal on two shots and went plus-2 in Saturday's 6-5 shootout loss to the Hurricanes.

Merrill converted on a William Carrier pass just 1:09 after Max Pacioretty's opening tally in the first period. Playing time has been inconsistent for Merrill lately -- he's appeared in only seven of the Golden Knights' 14 games since the start of January. For the year, the defenseman has six points, 64 blocked shots, 45 hits and 24 PIM in 44 contests.

Merrill potted a goal in Thursday's 5-4 win over the Flyers.

Merrill is typically more of a defensive player -- his goal is just his fourth point in 37 outings this season. The 27-year-old also has 56 blocked shots, 38 hits and 20 PIM. It's safe to leave Merrill off of fantasy rosters, as he's not likely to go on a scoring binge anytime soon.

Merrill set up a goal in Thursday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Islanders.

Merill went 18 straight games without recording a point before snapping the cold spell Thursday. There's nothing in his profile to suggest that he'll suddenly become a viable fantasy option, but Merrill is seeing enough ice time with surging power forward Alex Tuch to raise some eyebrows in the short term.

Merrill recorded a pair of hits and a game-high four blocked shots in Sunday's 6-0 win over the Flames.

Merrill asserted himself well in this blowout loss, with his aggressive showing punctuated by a two-minute roughing penalty. The depth defenseman still hasn't recorded a point in close to a month, but he clearly makes an impact in other ways.

Merrill struggled with a minus-2 rating and four PIM in Saturday's 5-2 loss to the Capitals.

The Golden Knights lacked discipline in this contest, as the floundering Western Conference club committed seven penalties, including hooking and slashing minors from Merrill. From a fantasy perspective, the left defenseman can't be trusted; two points comprise his point total through 18 games.

Merrill managed four shots in Wednesday's 4-1 home win over the Sharks to open the season.

Merrill misfired each time, but it was good to see him so active in the attacking zone after registering a career-high 15 points and 72 shots with Vegas last year. The Oklahoman saw 23:19 of ice time, as he was needed for extra shifts following an apparent knee injury to Nate Schmidt.

Merrill registered an assist and went plus-3 in Wednesday's 4-3 loss to the Avalanche.

Overall, a solid night for the third-pairing defender, which should keep him in coach Gerard Gallant's good graces. Merrill has a career-high 15 points in 53 games this season, but with only modest totals in peripheral stats (66 hits, 69 each of shots and blocked shots), he doesn't warrant much fantasy attention.

Merrill registered an assist and went plus-4 in Thursday's 5-0 win over the Jets.

The helper gives Merrill 14 points in 50 games, matching his output from 2014-15, which he achieved in 66 appearances. Merilll has added 51 PIM, 63 hits, 68 blocked shots and 67 shots on goal, but all of those modest totals don't add up to much in the way of fantasy value.

Merrill dished a helper and went plus-4 in Saturday's 6-2 pummeling of the Canucks.

Merrill's assists helped him pull within a point of his career high of 14 (three goals, 10 assists in 46 games this season). The defenseman also saw his plus-minus rise to plus-10 for the year. He's more of a stay-at-home blueliner, which makes his fantasy appeal highly limited even in a career year.

Merrill scored his third goal of the season and added an assist in a 6-5 shootout with over the Panthers on Thursday.

Merrill is not known for his offense, but he played a key role in Thursday's contest. He added four shots and three hits in a strong game all around. Merrill has found his touch on offense in February, with seven points in 13 games accounting for over half of his season production of 12 points. His career high is 14 points, set in 66 games in 2014-15. It's not likely that he continues his recent hot run.

Merrill recorded four shots, four PIM and two blocks versus Vegas on Wednesday.

Merrill -- who served as a healthy scratch for the previous two games -- logged 16:59 of ice time and even got a look on the power play for 36 seconds. The Oklahoma City native will likely bounce in and out of the lineup throughout the rest of the season. Without a regular spot on the blue line, the 26-year-old won't offer much fantasy value.

Merrill will play Tuesday versus the Maple Leafs.

Merrill was a healthy scratch in the previous two games, but Derek Engelland (personal) is out so he'll slot back in. The 26-year-old has just one assist through 12 games and will work in the bottom pairing. He can be safely avoided in the fantasy realm.