BREAKING: Devils Re-Sign Dawson Mercer to Multi-Year Contract

The New Jersey Devils and forward Dawson Mercer agreed to a three-year contract on Friday. Mercer’s new deal carries a $4 million AAV.

Darren Dreger was first to report.

Mercer’s contract breakdown is $3 million in year one, $4.75 million in year two, and $4.25 million in year three.

The 22-year-old forward has played in all 82 games for the Devils in each of the first three seasons of his NHL career. Mercer forced the Devils’ hand to roster him as a rookie in the 2021-22 season. He proved the Devils right by scoring 17 goals and 42 points and finishing 11th in the Calder Trophy race.

Mercer’s best season thus far came in his sophomore campaign when he sniffed a 30-goal season, potting 27 goals and 56 points in 2022-23. Similarly to the rest of the Devils, Mercer took a bit of a step back in his production in the 2023-24 season, scoring seven few goals (20) and 23 fewer points (33).

However, the Devils firmly believe in Mercer, having already turned down trade offers for the young, versatile forward. In fact, general manager Tom Fitzgerald mentioned Mercer by name when speaking of candidates who will provide more in the goal department next season.

“A guy like Dawson Mercer is gonna get an opportunity to continue to grow and explode, hopefully,” Fitzgerald said when asked about replacing Tyler Toffoli’s goal scoring production.

Mercer’s role has changed numerous times under former head coach Lindy Ruff. He was utilized as a top-six forward, bottom-six forechecker, sometimes as a center which was his natural position when drafted. We’ll see how he’s deployed under new head coach Sheldon Keefe, but although Mercer is versatile, some lineup stability might do him some good. With the returning Tomas Tatar, speculation is Mercer will reunite with Tatar and Nico Hischier — a line that was not only an analytical darling, but a strong one in all three zones of the ice.

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