Boston Bruins
On 9 April 2022, Merkulov concluded his collegiate career after he was signed to a three-year, entry-level contract with the Boston Bruins, and was assigned to their AHL affiliate, the Providence Bruins, where he would play for the remainder of the season. [2] [3]
On 12 April 2023, after his first full professional season with the Providence Bruins, Merkulov was named to the AHL All-Rookie Team. He was second among AHL rookies in points with 55, which also led the Bruins, as well as leading the Bruins with 23 goals. [4]
Once again impressing in Providence during the 2023–24 season, Merkulov earned a call-up to the NHL club on 29 December 2023. [5] He would make his NHL debut the next day against the New Jersey Devils. Merkulov played four games with the team before being sent back to Providence on 5 January 2024. He did not record a point in his first stint. [6] On 10 January 2024, Merkulov was named as Providence's representation in the 2024 AHL All Star Classic. [7] Merkulov had yet another successful season in the AHL, as he led the P-Bruins with goals and points, with 30 and 65, respectively. He was also second on the team in assists. His 30 goals were tied for sixth in the AHL, and his 65 points had him tied for fifth in the league. Although Merkulov would score three assists in four games in the team's first round matchup in the 2024 Calder Cup playoffs against the Hartford Wolf Pack, the Bruins would fall to the Wolf Pack in four games for the second straight year.
After starting the 2024-25 season in Providence again, Merkulov was called up on 16 November 2024. He would score his first NHL point that same day against the St. Louis Blues, an assist on a Trent Frederic goal. He would play two more games in Boston before being sent back down to Providence. Merkulov once again had a successful offensive season in Providence. Despite a small downtick in goals, heading into April, Merkulov led the P-Bruins in both assists and total points. However, on April 4, 2025, against the Charlotte Checkers, Merkulov suffered an upper-body injury, later revealed to be a broken collarbone. The injury was originally announced to keep Merkulov out the rest of the regular season, however, it would keep him out of playoff play as well. [8] Despite the injury, Merkulov finished the season as the Bruins leader in assists, as well as their leading point-scorer. Merkulov became the first player in team history to lead the team in points for three consecutive seasons. [9]
