SerpApi.Org
The Boston Bruins lost a talented 25-year old center in free agency on Monday.
Georgii Merkulov agreed to a contract with the Colorado Avalanche.
The Avs announced it as a one-year pact with this post on social media:
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Merkulov has followed a fascinating path to the NHL, and in the last three years, he's gotten into 11 total games with the Bruins, notching one assist.
He began in the minor leagues in Russia with Stupino Kapitan Jr. for three seasons -- including a 2018-19 season when he had 22 goals and 24 assists.
He spent time in the USHL with the Youngstown Phantoms in 2019-20, the same season when he made his debut at the senior level in Russia with Tambov HC.
After that bouncing around, Merkulov played a full 2020-21 season with the Phantoms in the USHL, putting up 14 goals and 26 assists (40 points) in 38 games.
In 2021-22, he headed to college hockey at Ohio State, putting up 20 goals and 14 assists (34 points) in 36 games.
That earned him a spot with the Providence Bruins in the AHL, and he's appeared for Providence in portions of each of the last five seasons.
In 2022-23, he had 55 points in 67 games. The next season, it was 65 points (30 goals, 35 assists) in 67 games.
He had 54 points in 59 games in 2024-25, and he just went for 24 goals and 37 assists (61 points) in 70 games in 2025-26.
The Avalanche likely figure Merkulov will at least help at the AHL level, and given that he'll still just turn 26 in October, maybe he's still got the potential for more.
If Merkulov reaches his potential, it won't be in Boston.
