Confirmed Signing with Link: [NJD] F Dawson Mercer re-signs with the Devils (3 years, $4M AAV)

[njdevils1982]

Look who showed up to crap on something good for NJ. I am so surprised as that is so out of character for you. You never purposely try to antagonize the NJ fanbase as that would be a ToS violation.

i second that emotion

 

[dgibb10]

A lot of things that make someone a great penalty-killer are not things you see great 5v5 defenders doing. Namely, icing the puck at all costs, selling out to block shots, and simply killing time by forcing outside passes. None of these things are good attributes at 5v5 but will make someone an excellent penalty killer. You don't need high hockey IQ to be a good penalty killer, you just need hustle and the willingness to block shots.

#BrendanSmithEliteAtIcingThePuck

 

[njdevils1982]

#BrendanSmithEliteAtIcingThePuck

people love to crap on brendan smith but i will cherish the memory of him obliterating bedard forever

 

[Juxtaposer]

#BrendanSmithEliteAtIcingThePuck

Hey, being able to corral a puck and fling it down the ice indiscriminately can be useful skill on the PK!

 

[PatriceBergeronFan]

Appears to be a standard bridge contract. Everything is always labeled a steal by the fans of the team here.

 

[My3Sons]

Appears to be a standard bridge contract. Everything is always labeled a steal by the fans of the team here.

I think that most of the second contracts are steals. It's the ones signed in UFA that are really worthwhile or not.

 

[Boss Man Hughes]

Unfortunately we see lots of kids come up and hit things in stride, but once dmen figure out their tendencies, etc, it’s that 3rd and 4th gear we need to see before we can feel real comfortable a player will consistently score at the NHL level.

That’s where Mercer is at right now. Hopefully he had a big, productive summer and takes that next step. Much like a Lucas Raymond took last year. Doesn’t have to be to that extent, but he has to find that consistency, and ability to adjust to what dmen are giving him. In Jersey, he’s gonna have to earn those opportunities as well. It’s not like he’s not competing for top 6 minutes.

So nothings gonna be handed to him. This will be a big season for him. If it mirrors last season, he’s likely not gonna be in NJ for the long term. They’ll use him at the deadline.

How could he do better than he did last season. He played with trash when he should have been on a scoring line since he is not a centre.

 

[dgibb10]

I think that most of the second contracts are steals. It's the ones signed in UFA that are really worthwhile or not.

Yup

Any GM with a brain can get a bargain on a RFA who isn't even arbitration eligble (except kyle dubas somehow).

Same with crediting GMs for selling at the deadline to the highest bidder or take a cap dump.

It's on the UFAs and 26 year old RFAs where the real smarts show. And the acquisitions with term. Not the rentals (both buying or selling)

 

[Goptor]

I think that most of the second contracts are steals. It's the ones signed in UFA that are really worthwhile or not.

Pretty much. The only players that haven't lived up to the contract are ones that get perpetually injured like Josh Norris.

 

[biturbo19]

Interesting that they basically went with the jumbo bridge deal. I can certainly see why that'd be the most attractive route with Mercer. For one, it gets the guy on a deal that at worst, should be reasonably close to fair value...but has the potential to be an absolute steal if he gets back on track with where he was headed previously. But i don't think he's established that he's one of those "core players" you want to lock up for 8 years at a zillion dollars, in the event that his regression last year ends up being more indicative of future performance than his prior trajectory.

Ultimately, you're getting 3 years of a good player at reasonably close to value as a "downside" to this deal. Best case, it's a steal...and you have to pay the piper when it comes to that next contract a few years from now. Which...if he's good enough to really "break the bank" on that next deal, you're usually pretty happy to do so...or if you have to, deal that player for significant value on more budget-friendly contracts.

 

[thefutures]

Last year cost him