The Jon Merrill Experience Underscores Wild Rushing Extensions Based on Outlier Season

On today's episode of Locked on Wild, we wonder WHY WE CONTINUE TO SEE THE SAME DEFENSIVE 3RD PAIRING DESPITE CONTINUED PROBLEMATIC RESULTS. We rewind to the initial signing of Jon Merrill, and wonder why the decision was made to sign him to a 3 year extension when the results have dropped off every season since. We make the case for Dakota Mermis to just take the job, and talk about why locking in a 3rd pairing is never a desirable outcome. We talk about the rush to sign players to extensions as opposed to simply letting the process play out. We move to the Wild handling their first adversity under John Hynes, and why he said last night's game presented an opportunity for a lesson learned about forcing plays that simply aren't there. We look at the Edmonton Oilers, how they have put themselves back on track since firing Jay Woodcroft, and the keys for a Wild win, which include:

1. Don't hand out Power Play opportunities to McDavid and Draisaitl
2. Make Skinner or whoever is in net for Edmonton earn it
3. Make THIRD PAIRING CHANGES OR RISK ANOTHER BLOW UP

Make sure to join us after the game for another Locked on Wild Postcast where we will break down all of the action!

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: Locked On Wild

Follow/Subscribe Anywhere: linktr.ee/LockedOnWild

Follow Locked On NHL: linktr.ee/lockedonNHL

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!

eBay Motors - With all the parts you need at the prices you want, it’s easy to turn your car into the MVP and bring home that win. Keep your ride-or-die alive at EbayMotors.com. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers.

Jase Medical - Get $20 off these lifesaving antibiotics with Jase Medical by using code LOCKEDON at checkout on jasemedical.com.

Sleeper - Download the Sleeper App and use promo code LOCKEDONNHL to get up to a $100 match on your first deposit. Terms and conditions apply. See Sleeper’s Terms of Use for details.

Gametime - Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Take the guesswork out of buying tickets with Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNHL for $20 off your first purchase.

FanDuel - Score early this NFL season with FanDuel, America’s Number One Sportsbook! Right now, NEW customers get ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS with any winning FIVE DOLLAR MONEYLINE BET! That’s A HUNDRED AND FIFTY BUCKS – if your team wins! Visit FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON to get started.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices