Nichols: Devils Can Solve One Big Problem with In-House Solution

Why do the New Jersey Devils need a third-line center this summer? They have one. Dawson Mercer should fill the position, and stay there consistently.

As a 23-year-old forward, Dawson Mercer still has plenty of growing to do. Perhaps, to a fault, he’s so versatile that he’s moved up and down the Devils’ depth chart, filling both top and bottom-six roles. He even shifts from the wing to center and back depending on who’s in and out of the lineup.

According to Capwages, Mercer spent 45.3% of his time playing left wing, 43% playing right wing, and 11.7% playing center.

One might look at those percentages and say, “Well, then he’s a winger.” If you ask Mercer, he has no preference. He just wants to play.

However, Mercer was drafted as a center out of the QMJHL.

Admittedly, Mercer’s most successful season was during 2022-23, playing the wing on Nico Hischier‘s line.

Yet, two seasons removed from a career year, Mercer has struggled to find that 27-goal, near 60-point form from his sophomore campaign.

By no means is this a write-off of Mercer. He certainly has the ability to reach that level of production again.

But, how about some consistency in his deployment to further his development?

It’s clear Mercer can hack it at the NHL level. He’s a decent point producer, but an excellent defensive forward. He’s relentless on the forecheck and the Devils tend to keep the puck out of the net when they’re in their own zone while he’s on the ice.

With the puck on his stick, the skills are all there, too. Mercer is swift footed, and slick on his edges. He can transition the puck from one zone to the next, win his puck battles, and has the tendency to find loose pucks at the top of the crease.

With two years remaining on his current deal at a $4 million average annual value, Mercer is the perfect player to slot in after Hischier and Jack Hughes on the center depth chart as the salary cap continues to rise.

What the Devils should do this summer is surround Mercer with wingers that can compliment his skill set, as opposed to going to the NHL trade or free agency market to find something they already have.

We already know the Devils want to improve the depth scoring.

Bringing back Daniel Sprong as a complimentary bottom-six scorer seems like a logical option. The 28-year-old forward already explained he wants to return under the tutelage of Sheldon Keefe, and is a proven, effective bottom-six contributor.

Perhaps two-thirds of the Devils’ third line is already figured out.

That leaves a spot open in the top-six to fill externally. Perhaps someone of Kyle Palmieri‘s nature. And if the Devils can manage to offload Ondrej Palat‘s contract, perhaps they need two top-six scorers.

Regardless, Mercer should finally play in a consistent role as a center in 2025-26.

He’ll need to improve in the faceoff dot, seeing as he’s drawn a 39.3 faceoff win percentage. However, the sample is small given the lack of time he’s spent at the position in the NHL, and is certainly something he can improve upon moving forward.

Forget looking for a third-line center externally. The Devils have Mercer for that. It gives them superb center depth, especially if Cody Glass signs on to skate in a fourth-line role.

The Devils could have one of the better center cores in the league, should they decide to give Mercer the opportunity.

Fill out the wings with scorers, sprinkle in a checker or two, and it could be the recipe Keefe and Co. need to take the next step forward.

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