The rumors have been put to rest — the New Jersey Devils were without Dawson Mercer for exactly one day of their training camp as they got a contract worked out. The young forward signed a three-year deal to stay in New Jersey.
Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald said the 22-year-old will earn $3 million this coming season, $4.75 million the following year and $4.25 million in the third, 2026-27. Mercer had 20 goals and 13 assists last season, playing in all 82 games. The restricted free agent had a career-high four power-play goals and a time on ice average of 17:13.
The deal gives the Devils enough cap space to sign one of their PTOs to an NHL contract should they wish. They also continue to keep Mercer’s RFA rights. At the end of his contract, Mercer will be arbitration eligible, but he will not be an unrestricted free agent.
Mercer was New Jersey's second choice, 18th overall, in the 2020 NHL draft. He represented Canada at the International Ice Hockey Federation's 2020 and 2021 world junior championship and the 2022 and 2024 men's world championships.
He set a Devils franchise record Feb. 25, 2023, when he passed Scott Gomez for consecutive games played (141) to start an NHL career. Mercer has extended the streak to 246 games. He has not missed a game since his debut Oct. 15, 2021.
Prior to the deal being met, Mercer was the New Jersey Devils’ only remaining RFA without a contract.
While this is great news for Devils' fans, lets take a look at how Mercer stacks up when compared to two New York Rangers forwards — recently reported on by Blue Line Station contributor Justin Bonhard.
Brennan Othmann versus Mercer
Similar in age to Mercer is the Rangers' 21-year-old left-wing prospect from the Ontario Hockey League who spent the 2023-24 season as a part of the Hartford Wolfpack, the Rangers AHL affiliate.
In 67 games with Hartford, he scored 21 goals and added 28 assists for 49 points. During the Wolfpack's playoff run, he appeared in 10 games, scored a goal in game three of the series against Providence, and also assisted on four goals.
Brennan scored 16 points (seven goals, nine assists) in 34 games with Olten, then returned to North America to help Canada win the 2021 IIHF Under-18 World Championship by scoring six points (three goals, three assists) in seven games.
The New York Rangers selected Othmann with the No. 16 pick in the 2021 NHL Draft.
Matt Rempe versus Dawson Mercer
Standing tall at 6'7", Rempe is practically as big as they come in the NHL, especially when compared to Mercer standing at exactly 6'0".
On the ice, there are many ways to use Rempe effectively. Whether it is as a net-front presence, as only a few goalies are going to be able to look around his large frame, or as a bodyguard on a top-nine forward line. It seems to be that Rempe is more flexible than many of the other enforcers around the NHL.
In terms of fighting, there is no one better than Rempe.
During the 2023-24 season campaign, Rempe tallied one goal and one assist across 17 games played. But, with an abundance of video coming out from training camp, it is clear to see that Rempe took this offseason very seriously. He appeared to be a much better skater, which is terrifying for players like Mercer to consider when Rempe was already fairly quick for a 6'7" player