Report: New Jersey Devils Re-Sign RFA Dawson Mercer

The New Jersey Devils and restricted free-agent forward Dawson Mercer have reportedly come to terms on a three-year contract worth $4 million AAV. TSN's Darren Dreger was first to report the news.

Three years at $4 mil per for Dawson Mercer and the Devils. Sounds like it was finalized last night during the Jets/Pats game. 😂
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) September 20, 2024

Mercer, 22, was originally a 2020 first-round pick of the Devils. He appeared in all 82 games for New Jersey last season, recording 20 goals and 33 points. It was his third season in the league and his worst season statistically so far throughout his young career.

Mercer has appeared in every game the past three years and put up 42 points his rookie season and 56 in 2022-23. The Carbonear, NFLD native has collected 64 goals and 131 points throughout his first 246 games. Mercer also has chipped in with seven points in 12 Stanley Cup Playoff games.

The Devils add Mercer at $4 million AAV and still have just under $1 million in cap space. GM Tom Fitzgerald has done a fine job this summer ensuring to re-tool on the fly and solidify multiple positions throughout his roster. This includes bringing in Jacob Markstrom to become the team's starting netminder with Jake Allen pushing Markstrom for minutes.

DAWSON. MERCER. 🔥

Eight goals in his last six games! pic.twitter.com/zS84VJQAdT
— NHL (@NHL) February 26, 2023

Mercer brings a ton of game up front and has all the tools to be a productive top-six winger for years to come. The bridge deal allows both sides to feel each other out some more and put together a plan for what Mercer's contract could look like long term.

For now, the Devils are trying to get themselves back into the Stanley Cup Playoff picture as new head coach Sheldon Keefe is looking to lead the charge. The Devils have several players on PTO's at training camp so the leftover cap space will come in handy if Fitzgerald wants to hand out another NHL contract.