Mercer, 23 subsequent month, was one among 4 notable RFAs nonetheless left unsigned after coaching camps started throughout the league earlier this week. Now, solely Nikita Alexandrov (Blues), Cole Perfetti (Jets) and Jeremy Swayman (Bruins) stay with out offers amongst RFAs who logged important NHL time final season.
The 2020 No. 18 general choose is coming off a down yr, making it simple to shift negotiations towards a bridge deal fairly than shelling out money for a long-term pact with larger threat for the staff. The Newfoundland and Labrador native nonetheless managed to hit the 20-goal mark however posted profession lows in assists (13), factors (33) and score (-26).
Mercer is a talented shooter, ending on 14.3% of his 449 pictures on aim over his three-year profession. He’s additionally confirmed extremely sturdy — he’s but to overlook a recreation since making his NHL debut on the opening night time of the 2021-22 common season.
Whereas a pure middle, Mercer has spent most of his time on the wing within the NHL. That’s partly as a result of the Devils have Nico Hischier and Jack Hughes locked in as their high two facilities but additionally due to Mercer’s struggles within the faceoff dot. He’s bettering in that regard, profitable 119 of his 265 attracts final yr (44.9 FOW%), however nonetheless has a profession win price of 39%.
He’s flashed hints of his offensive ceiling, posting 56 factors in 2022-23 throughout New Jersey’s resurgent 112-point marketing campaign. His manufacturing and possession numbers have primarily risen and fallen with the staff’s file, so with the Devils primed to return to postseason competitors subsequent spring, count on a rebound from Mercer.
Basic supervisor Tom Fitzgerald said they were close to a deal over a month in the past, nevertheless it took numerous work to finalize. There have been near-daily reviews over the previous few days that the Devils and Mercer have been feverishly working towards getting him signed and in coaching camp as quickly as potential.
After averaging a career-high 17:13 per recreation final season, together with important time on each particular groups models, Mercer will look to stay in a extra constant top-six position at even energy in 2024-25. He bounced round a lot final yr, not recording greater than 100 minutes of ice time with a single set of linemates, per MoneyPuck. Early line rushes at coaching camp, accounting for placeholders, counsel he may open the season alongside Hughes and Timo Meier.
The Devils now have $976K in projected cap house with an open roster spot after Mercer signed, per PuckPedia. That determine assumes defenseman Luke Hughes will begin the season on commonplace injured reserve with a shoulder injury, not long-term injured reserve.
Preserving Mercer’s cap hit to $4M permits the Devils to hold a full 23-man roster on opening night time while not having to put Hughes on LTIR to open up cap house. Santeri Hatakka is the likeliest candidate to fill in as an additional defender on the NHL roster after posting two assists and a +5 score in 12 video games in fringe motion for New Jersey final season.
A 3-year deal doesn’t stroll Mercer to unrestricted free company. He’ll nonetheless be beneath staff management when his deal expires after the 2026-27 season.
