After getting back into the playoffs this past season, the New Jersey Devils are going to be looking to take another step in the right direction in 2025-26. For this to occur, they are going to need their top players to be on their A-game, and this certainly includes forward Dawson Mercer.
Mercer is one of the Devils' most interesting players heading into next season. This is because the 2020 first-round pick is arguably the team's most notable bounce-back candidate. Since the 23-year-old forward recorded career highs with 27 goals, 29 assists, and 56 points in 82 games during the 2022-23 season, he has had trouble replicating that kind of offense.
During the 2023-24 campaign, he recorded 20 goals, 13 assists, 33 points, and a minus-26 rating in 82 games. He then followed that up by posting 19 goals and 36 points in 82 games this past season with the Devils. Overall, these numbers are not necessarily bad, but they are noticeably lower than his career year in 2022-23. As a result, he will be looking to get his offense back up and prove that he can be a legitimate top-six forward for the Devils moving forward.
If Mercer can bounce back, it would be huge for a Devils club looking to become legitmate contenders. As a result, he is undoubtedly an X-factor heading into next season for New Jersey, and it will be fascinating to see what kind of year he has from here.
Former Devils Forward Joins New Team
A former <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils">New Jersey Devils </a>forward is taking his talents overseas.