Report: Expect Bridge-Deal Between Devils & Dawson Mercer

We’re six days into September and the New Jersey Devils still have some business to take care of before the start of training camp. Or, they hope it’s done before it begins.

Veterans will report to camp on September 18th — which will also be the first day of on-ice training camp activities. Dawson Mercer, despite his young age, is expected to be part of that group. That is, however, unless he doesn’t sign a contract.

Mercer (22) remains an unsigned restricted free agent. He’s the last bit of business that Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald needs to address.

On the latest episode of 32 Thoughts the Podcast, Elliotte Friedman explains he expects a bridge-deal between the two parties.

“Devils fans are wondering about Dawson Mercer,” Friedman explained to his new co-host, Kyle Bukauskas. “I look at their cap situation. I just don’t see how a long-term deal works. So I expect this is gonna be a bridge barring they do anything else.”

You probably didn’t need to hear it from Friedman to believe that’s where this was headed, anyway.

According to PuckPedia, the Devils have just $4,976,103 left in cap space after a busy summer that reeled in some big fish. Such names include Jacob Markstrom & Brett Pesce.

Therefore, a long-term deal is difficult, unless Mercer and the Devils can agree on taking the Seth Jarvis route and defer money.

REQUIRED READING: Seth Jarvis Contract Tables Unique Structure Option for Devils & Dawson Mercer

Regardless, AFP Analytics has been incredibly accurate with their contract projections around the NHL. AFP projects Mercer to earn a $3,793,680 average annual value on a short-term, two-year contract. You can see a situation where Mercer perhaps gets one additional year and is maybe bumped up to an even $4 million AAV.

With a two or three year contract, Mercer remains a restricted free agent by the end of it and the Devils will still have control of the player.

It also then gives Mercer the opportunity to sign another contract in the prime of his career. Following the first few days of free agency, Fitzgerald named Mercer specifically as a player who is likely going to have a chance at an increased role in the Devils’ top-six.

Why?

Well, the Devils didn’t exactly replace Tyler Toffoli’s 35-goal pace in New Jersey last season before he was traded to the Winnipeg Jets. Whereas Mercer is viewed as an all-around, two-way player, he nearly reached the 30-goal mark in the 2022-23 season, netting 27 goals in 82 games before a bit of a regression last season.

“A guy like Dawson Mercer is gonna get an opportunity to continue to grow and explode, hopefully,” Fitzgerald said.

Fitzgerald did mention he views Mercer as a long-term player in New Jersey. However, the salary cap situation makes it difficult to work out a long-term extension at the moment. With significant salary cap coming off the books in two seasons with Markstrom’s and Erik Haula’s deals expiring, it might be a better time for the two sides to revisit a long-term marriage.

Negotiations are certainly still underway, and a long-term option has been discussed, so never say never. However, this one seems likely that it’s heading toward a bridge deal.

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