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Value of: Nemec + Mercer

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I don’t get the point in trading Mercer when the Devils still need someone who brings exactly what Mercer does. It’s frustrating he hasn’t tapped into his offensive potential, but he’s still signed to a reasonable deal and is a quality forward.

I’d rather keep Mercer and find any way to unload Haula and/or Palat for cap space to address our real needs.

On Nemec, I would only deal him for a really good forward prospect in the same situation as him (MacTavish, etc.) or a strong top six forward signed to a great contract that fills a need (Tuch, McCann).

I still think the Devils would regret moving Nemec, but I could understand it in the right deal.
 
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WhiskeyYerTheDevils said:
Devils need an upgrade at forward. Would be looking for a younger middle 6 player on a manageable contract. Ideally a guy who can play center or play with pace.

Nemec showed some great potential in the first half of his rookie season, but has struggled this year after getting injured this summer. His production in the AHL has been pretty solid after a slow start, but he's just not ready for the NHL pace yet. He still projects as a top 4 dman who could QB a PP down the line.

Mercer is a better player than he's shown in the last 2 years, but his confidence has really fallen since the 2023 playoffs. He's a really smart all around player who can play in all situations and all forward positions. I think he'd be a good fit as a complimentary winger alongside a play driving center. He's signed at 4M through 2026-27, and will still be an RFA at expiry.
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Wouldn't mercer be considered a middle 6 right now? How much better of a middle 6 can you find? Sounds like a lot to give up for a middle 6.
 
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Zippy316 said:
I don’t get the point in trading Mercer when the Devils still need someone who brings exactly what Mercer does. It’s frustrating he hasn’t tapped into his offensive potential, but he’s still signed to a reasonable deal and is a quality forward.

I’d rather keep Mercer and find any way to unload Haula and/or Palat for cap space to address our real needs.

On Nemec, I would only deal him for a really good forward prospect in the same situation as him (MacTavish, etc.) or a strong top six forward signed to a great contract that fills a need (Tuch, McCann).

I still think the Devils would regret moving Nemec, but I could understand it in the right deal.
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I agree. I dont think Fitz makes a move liek this until the summer. I think he adds depth scoring the TDL with UFAs or with 1 year left. The UFAs would be potential signings. A Trent Frederick for instance. I'd leave Nemec and Mercer alone. You can always trade a 20 yr RHD 2OA still on an ELC anytime!
 
Zippy316 said:
I don’t get the point in trading Mercer when the Devils still need someone who brings exactly what Mercer does. Itht’s frustrating he hasn’t tapped into his offensive potential, but he’s still signed to a reasonable deal and is a quality forwaI rd.

I’d rather keep Mercer and find any way to unload Haula and/or Palat for cap space to address our real needs.

On Nemec, I would only deal him for a really good forward prospect in the same situation as him (MacTavish, etc.) or a strong top six forward signed to a great contract that fills a need (Tuch, McCann).

I still think the Devils would regret moving Nemec, but I could understand it in the right deal.
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From my perspective it's because if they want to open up cap to bring anyone onto their roster this deadline he's one of the few players that is a combination of making cap, no trade protection, and in a position they want to improve on.
 
Smitty426 said:
I agree. I dont think Fitz makes a move liek this until the summer. I think he adds depth scoring the TDL with UFAs or with 1 year left. The UFAs would be potential signings. A Trent Frederick for instance. I'd leave Nemec and Mercer alone. You can always trade a 20 yr RHD 2OA still on an ELC anytime!
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This is my stance too. I’m hopeful for a big name addition that this team really needs like McCann.

But I could 100% see 2-3 additions like Beauvillier, Nyquist, Bjugstad, Suter, etc. to solidify the third line and hope you find lightning in a bottle with some trio.

Gurglesons said:
From my perspective it's because if they want to open up cap to bring anyone onto their roster this deadline he's one of the few players that is a combination of making cap, no trade protection, and in a position they want to improve on.
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But again, it’s creating one hole to fill another. Mercer provides what he’s paid for, in my opinion. The bigger issue is guys like Palat and Haula that are far overpaid for what they bring.
 
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Zippy316 said:
But again, it’s creating one hole to fill another. Mercer provides what he’s paid for, in my opinion. The bigger issue is guys like Palat and Haula that are far overpaid for what they bring.
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They can't move Palat or Haula and it seems very obvious they don't trust Mercer to play 3C so that's why with all of the trades I proposed on page 1 I'm including a top six option and a potential bottom six C.
 
As a Blues fan I would be extremely interested in Nemec. I feel like Buchnevich would look good in NJ red. Making the money work would be difficult though.
 
The idea of trading these guys is to get an upgrade, not to shuffle around interchangeable parts. Trading Mercer only makes sense if you're getting a legitimate top-6 winger back or middle-6 center back. Otherwise you're just swapping one guy for a different guy and that doesn't solve NJ's problem.
 
Gurglesons said:
They can't move Palat or Haula and it seems very obvious they don't trust Mercer to play 3C so that's why with all of the trades I proposed on page 1 I'm including a top six option and a potential bottom six C.
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Mid-season absolutely I agree.

Which is why I am starting to think the mid-season additions are going to be a bunch of cheaper options like Nyquist/Beauvillier + Bjugstad/Suter rather than any high-end additions.

I think Fitzgerald is going to look to fortify the third line and by doing that add a guy or two that might look good riding third wheel on a Hischier or Hughes line. Ideally you’d get someone like McCann that fits in, but with our limited flexibility, that is looking like an off-season move.

If you add two more players to that Mercer, Noesen, Palat, Haula, Tatar, Cotter group, I think you’d be able to find something that works around Hughes, Bratt, Hischier, and Meier.
 
Just can’t see the Devils sending Nemec packing yet, unless he’s pushing to get out, and that takes everything off the table in this type of move.

As for Mercer, we knew this was going to happen with him. Or at least the writing was on the wall. When your opportunities are limited for your skill set, the chance you’re going to continue to produce consistently go way down. Until he’s firmly planted in a Top 6 his numbers are going to be all over the place.

So you’re really selling very low on both counts. Even if they were shipped off for a Konecny type, that’s a high price to pay.

This is why teams don’t make trades, just to make trades every year. They start downgrading their own young players with bright futures.
 
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Monsieur Verdoux said:
That same Ross Colton who has 0+0 in his last 14 games and 1+2 in his last 20 games? He doesn't sound like an upgrade for Mercer.
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Just different styles. Colton will throw the body a little more and historically has been very competent at faceoffs, which would be nice to have.

Mercer only has 6 points in his last 20 and has played 70 more minutes while only generating 2 more shots on goal. Colton has shot 3% in his last 20, Mercer has shot 11%.

Colton may not be an upgrade, but I do like the fit and with a small add, I certainly don't hate it.
 
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Forge said:
Just different styles. Colton will throw the body a little more and historically has been very competent at faceoffs, which would be nice to have.

Mercer only has 6 points in his last 20 and has played 70 more minutes while only generating 2 more shots on goal. Colton has shot 3% in his last 20, Mercer has shot 11%.

Colton may not be an upgrade, but I do like the fit and with a small add, I certainly don't hate it.
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Need more players like Ross to this roster
 
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Gurglesons said:
I think Colton fits the role that New Jersey wants in their bottom six more so than Mercer.
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If NJDs coaches and front office didn't like mercers game and playstyle they wouldn't play him nearly 18 minutes a night and they wouldn't have, to this point, outright refused to include him in negotiations to this date.

NJD apparently bid on Colton when he was traded from tampa. Logically you can assume they offered less than the 37th overall pick he ended up going for.

A trade around a 2nd round pick then makes sense if Col wants to ship Colton out, knowing we are the only destination available.


It simply doesn't make sense for NJD to strip a 23 year old who plays 18 minutes a night off the roster.

Do I want more from mercer. Without a doubt.

Has every indication the team given being that they view him as an integral piece? also yes.
 
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Buchnevich before his new deal was exactly the player I'd do Nemec+Mercer for.

Some variation of Hossa to CHI, Nichushkin+Lekhnonen to the Avs, Danault to LA, etc. Smart two way guy who isn't a puck hog and dead offensively. Extremely hard to find. And no, Jake Evans is not that player.
 
Forge said:
Just different styles. Colton will throw the body a little more and historically has been very competent at faceoffs, which would be nice to have.

Mercer only has 6 points in his last 20 and has played 70 more minutes while only generating 2 more shots on goal. Colton has shot 3% in his last 20, Mercer has shot 11%.

Colton may not be an upgrade, but I do like the fit and with a small add, I certainly don't hate it.
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I'm not against Colton, but I'm against trading him for Mercer. Just trade him for a 2nd round pick if the Avalanche wants to make room for additions in the off-season, or something like that.

Also why Bednar doesn't give him more ice time if he is so good? I mean, the team has had big problems to get any kind of production from other players than their big guns. So maybe there is a reason why Mercer has gotten more ice time than Colton.

I think Mercer has been underwhelming, but I also think it would be foolish to trade him for someone like Colton, who is older and arguably not better.
 
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Gurglesons said:
Some packages that come to my mind..

Hayton, Schmaltz, 2nd for Nemec, Mercer, Haula

McCann, Gourde at 50%, 3rd for Nemec, Mercer

Novak, L'Heureux, Tampa's 1st for Nemec, Mercer
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WhiskeyYerTheDevils said:
I really like the first two
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I have a hard time believing that the Devils would move Nemec this early, even if the early returns are disappointing. I've never been high on him but it's just rare for teams to trade their recent 2nd overall picks this quickly.

From Seattle's perspective, Mercer would be a very nice acquisition. Would a Mercer for McCann deal work as a base? Half-retained Gourde could also be worked in - we know his value is roughly a late 1st or 2nd+, depending on how he looks after he comes back from his surgery recovery. But I'm mainly interested in evaluating McCann for Mercer.
 
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