OFFICIAL: Devils Re-Sign Dawson Mercer to Three-Year Contract
After a slow start to the season, Dawson Mercer earned over 30 points (20 goals, 13 assists) for the third straight year.
Mar 19, 2024; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils center Dawson Mercer (91) celebrates his goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports - OFFICIAL: Devils Re-Sign Dawson Mercer to Three-Year ContractNEWARK, N.J. -- The New Jersey Devils have re-signed forward Dawson Mercer to a three-year contract worth $12,000,000 with an annual average value of $4,000,000. Per the press release, the contract breakdown is as follows: 2024-25: $3,000,000; 2025-26: $4,750,000 and 2026-27: $4,250,000. General manager Tom Fitzgerald made the announcement on Friday afternoon.
The Bay Roberts native was one of five restricted free agents the Devils tenured qualifying offers to in June, along with Adam Beckman, Nico Daws, Nolan Foote, and Santeri Hatakka.
Fitzgerald previously spoke about Mercer's being a long-term player for New Jersey.
"Dawson is a long-term player for us. Where we go on term is judged on dollars," Fitzgerald said. "We only have so much money to spend. Where we project him to give us flexibility with our cap to continue to accrue and the possibility of adding value."
On Thursday, Fitzgerald shared that he and Mercer's agent, Pat Brisson, were close to a new contract.
During his exit interview in April, Mercer reiterated that he knew wanted to be part of the Devils from the moment he stepped foot in New Jersey.
"I knew the first day when I showed up in New Jersey that I did not want to leave. I did not want to go to any other team. I wanted to be a Devil," he said.
The 22-year-old appeared in all 82 games in 2023-24 and has played 246 consecutive NHL games since debuting on Oct. 15, 2021, against the Chicago Blackhawks.
After a slow start, he earned over 30 points (20 goals, 13 assists) for the third straight year. Mercer was utilized as one of the team's top penalty killers, finishing second among forwards in time on ice shorthanded behind Erik Haula.
Mercer missed the first two days of Devils training camp as his contract was still being finalized.
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