Value of: Nemec + Mercer

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

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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[SnS]

How I wish the Flyers had something to fit this type of package.

 

[hamzarocks]

I know this is seperate from what you are saying,

But was wondering if any interest in Nemec for Cowan + 2nd?

Prospect based deal?

Your offer if you do go Mercer + Nemec for a established forward, that would be getting a very good established forward, though not sure how much cap space is available to be allocated for a premium forward for NJD

If marner didnt have a NMC i'd do a deal like this but he has NMC so not sure a fit would work both S/T and L/T for NJD

 

[HugeInTheShire]

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.

Sounds a lot like Dawson Mercer

 

[Legend123]

You can have kirby dach, Evans, newhook, or even Laine or all of them. Be my guest for that package

Looks delicious

 

[rockymtnoyster]

Sounds a lot like Dawson Mercer

Was truly thinking the same thing..
Mercer can play up and down, and is on the PK as well if I believe.

 

[IWantSakicAsMyGM]

Any interest in Mittelstadt for Mercer? No? Yeah, I didn't think so.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Sounds a lot like Dawson Mercer

Yeah, we really need an upgraded Mercer (or for him to find his confidence again).

 

[HugeInTheShire]

Was truly thinking the same thing..
Mercer can play up and down, and is on the PK as well if I believe.

Him and Nico are the first guys up on the PK.

 

[Smitty426]

Yeah, we really need an upgraded Mercer (or for him to find his confidence again).

Who did you have in mind if you had your choice?

 

[HugeInTheShire]

Yeah, we really need an upgraded Mercer (or for him to find his confidence again).

I'm not opposed to moving Mercer but he really hasn't been given much of a chance to succeed, he's been used almost solely in a bottom 6 role. I've wanted Keefe to give him a shot with Jack and Bratt but he won't do it.

 

[tmg]

I'm not opposed to moving Mercer but he really hasn't been given much of a chance to succeed, he's been used almost solely in a bottom 6 role. I've wanted Keefe to give him a shot with Jack and Bratt but he won't do it.

I wonder if part of that is because Jack and Bratt are now regular penalty killers, and if they play all three of them + Mercer on the same line, they stand the risk of three of their top 4 Pk forwards being exhausted at the same time at the start of a pk.

I think it’s part of the same reason Hischier isn’t regularly played with Jack+Bratt except on PP and in times of scoring-absolute-need desperation.

 

[Gurglesons]

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

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Who did you have in mind if you had your choice?

I'd love a player in the mold of Matty Beniers, but he's not likely available. I wanted Cooley at the draft but that ship has obviously sailed.

 

[Perratrooper]

What would Colorado have to add to make a Mercer for Colton trade work?

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

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

I really like the first two

 

[Gurglesons]

What would Colorado have to add to make a Mercer for Colton trade work?

Honestly seems like a fair trade if Colorado adds a 2nd or 3rd.

 

[HugeInTheShire]

I wonder if part of that is because Jack and Bratt are now regular penalty killers, and if they play all three of them + Mercer on the same line, they stand the risk of three of their top 4 Pk forwards being exhausted at the same time at the start of a pk.

I think it’s part of the same reason Hischier isn’t regularly played with Jack+Bratt except on PP and in times of scoring-absolute-need desperation.

Hadn't thought of that but that makes a lot sense

 

[dgibb10]

Honestly seems like a fair trade if Colorado adds a 2nd or 3rd.

NJD gets 5 years older for a 3rd, on a guy who has a full NTC who would almost certainly only waive for NJD?

 

[Nocashstyle]

I'm not opposed to moving Mercer but he really hasn't been given much of a chance to succeed, he's been used almost solely in a bottom 6 role. I've wanted Keefe to give him a shot with Jack and Bratt but he won't do it.

He kind of has though. He is the reason he’s been slotted in a bottom 6 role. It’s not from lack of opportunity.

 

[Forge]

What would Colorado have to add to make a Mercer for Colton trade work?

I wouldn't require a ton. I kind of like that move for both parties.

 

[Junohockeyfan]

Any interest in Mittelstadt for Mercer? No? Yeah, I didn't think so.

I don't see him as a fit in NJ. Devils play a similar fast-paced up-tempo game like the Avs. Mitts slothfulness will not fit in that type of system. I can't believe the Avs thought he was a fit with the Avs....

Mitts would be a fit in Vegas or Winnipeg IMO.

 

[Monsieur Verdoux]

What would Colorado have to add to make a Mercer for Colton trade work?

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.

 

[HugeInTheShire]

He kind of has though. He is the reason he’s been slotted in a bottom 6 role. It’s not from lack of opportunity.

He gets shifts here and there but I haven't seen him get an extended look 5v5 with Nico or Jack. They let him play with Meier whenever Meier is struggling but that's about it.
Although I've missed quite a few games this season, so maybe they've given him more opportunities than I've seen.

 

[Monsieur Verdoux]

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

The first one is an interesting option, the others... not so much.