Locked on Devils- Lessons That Come With Losing As the dog days of summer slowly pass by, New Jersey Devils [https://t.co/iCynz9Wi6K] fans anxiously await restricted free agent Dawson Mercer [https://www.nhl.com/devils/player/dawson-mercer-8482110] to sign a new contract. Mercer is coming off a down year, where he saw a slow start before finishing the 2023-24 campaign with 33 points (20 goals, 13 assists). During his July 3 media availability, Devils' general manager Tom Fitzgerald said he and Mercer's agent, Pat Brisson, would continue to work towards a new contract. "His agent and I knew after July 1 we would keep it going," Fitzgerald said. "Dawson is a long-term player for us. Where we go on term is judged on dollars. We only have so much money to spend. Where we project him to be gives us flexibility with our cap to continue to accrue and the possibility of adding value." At 22 years old, Mercer is only getting started, and it is easy to understand why Fitzgerald kept him when making trades for Timo Meier [https://www.nhl.com/devils/player/timo-meier-8478414] and Jacob Markstrom [https://www.nhl.com/devils/player/jacob-markstrom-8474593]. Below are three reasons why the youngster is considered a long-term player for New Jersey. 1. MERCER IS A VERSATILE AND RESPONSIBLE 200-FOOT PLAYER Mercer is the perfect complement for any NHL team. He can play either center or wing, move up and down the lineup, and be deployed on the power play and penalty kill. From his first training camp in September 2021, the Bay Roberts native showcased a reliable game in all three zones and, with time, earned the trust of his then-head coach, Lindy Ruff. "He's paid really good attention to his defensive awareness," Ruff said during Mercer's rookie season. "He has a good stick in tight areas. I think the small-ice compete level for a guy who isn't all that big is something that may go unnoticed at times but is a really valuable part of our team." Through 246 games, he has scored 64 goals, including a career-high 27 during the 2022-23 season. Mercer is not afraid to go to the gritty areas of the ice and has a knack for being in the right place at the right time. That said, it is not his offensive contributions that make him valuable to the Devils. It is his ability to be a Swiss army knife, his play in all three zones, and the reputation he has built for playing a responsible game. 2. ONE WORD: DURABILITY Make no mistake, entering the NHL at 19 years old and not missing a single game, whether it be due to an injury or being a healthy scratch, is impressive. For three straight seasons, Mercer has appeared in all 82 games. In Feb. 2023, he surpassed Scott Gomez's record for most consecutive games to start a career with the Devils. It is no secret that Jack Hughes [https://www.nhl.com/devils/player/jack-hughes-8481559] and Nico Hischier [https://www.nhl.com/devils/player/nico-hischier-8480002] have dealt with injuries throughout their careers. Mercer provides his team insurance and can be used to temporarily replace either top center. During his rookie season, he did just that after Hughes suffered an injury, and Mercer thrived in that elevated role. 3. MERCER BRINGS THE INTANGIBLES INTO THE LOCKER ROOM Off the ice, the six-foot forward is known for his upbeat personality. When around the rink, Mercer has a smile on his face, whether he is on the ice, in the locker room, or walking down the hallway. His laid-back attitude and passion for the game make him the perfect addition to any locker room. At the end of the 2023-24 campaign, Fitzgerald spoke about the type of players he wants on his roster. "First and foremost, they have to be passionate," he said. "They need to love the game. They need to come every single day, punch the clock and, go to work, and actually enjoy it." From an outside perspective, that quote describes Mercer to a tee. He has quickly developed into a character player who possesses the intangibles that make an impact in a locker room. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAktTCWZq8Q[/embed] With each passing day, Devils fans check their social media for an announcement that Mercer put pen to paper and signed a new deal. The Hockey News has reached out to Brisson for an update but has not received a call back at the time of publication. Make sure you bookmark THN's New Jersey Devils site [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/] for THN's latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.
