The New Jersey Devils are gearing up for what should be a busy off-season. Following the Devils' first-round exit, general manager Tom Fitzgerald confirmed that changes to the team's roster will be made this summer.
Fitzgerald's goal is to make the Devils blossom into legitimate contenders, and one way he could look to do that is through the trade market. If the Devils aim to land a big-time player through trade, one player who could be a valuable trade chip for them is forward Dawson Mercer.
Mercer has come up as a trade candidate in the past, and he could be an interesting player for teams looking to add a young forward with good upside. The 2020 first-round pick has shown in the past that he has the potential to be a true top-six forward. During the 2022-23 season, for example, he set career highs with 27 goals, 29 assists, and 56 points.
However, Mercer has had trouble replicating that kind of offensive production since. During the 2023-24 season, he had 20 goals and 33 points in 82 games. He followed that up by recording 19 goals and 36 points in 82 games this season.
While Mercer's offense has been down since his big 2022-23 campaign, he still could be a valuable trade chip for the Devils if they make him available. The 23-year-old is still young enough that he not only could bounce back offensively but also improve his all-around game even further.
Although there would certainly be some risk in the Devils trading a young forward like Mercer, it could be something worth considering if it means landing another true star to their group.
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