The New Jersey Devils are progressing toward extending the contract of young forward Dawson Mercer, according to GM Tom Fitzgerald. The Devils kicked off a busy offseason by acquiring goaltender Jacob Markstrom from the Calgary Flames and adding Brett Pesce, Brenden Dillon, Stefan Noesen, and Tomas Tatar in free agency. With these moves, the team’s roster is largely set, but the focus now shifts to finalizing Mercer’s extension before training camp opens in September.
In a Sunday interview with RG.org, Fitzgerald confirmed that both sides have exchanged proposals, indicating progress toward an agreement. While the Devils faced a potential offer sheet scare recently due to deals made between the St. Louis Blues and players like Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg, the strong relationship between New Jersey and Mercer suggests an offer sheet is unlikely.
Given the Devils’ current salary cap situation, with just under $5 million in space per PuckPedia, a short-term deal appears more feasible unless Mercer agrees to a significant discount. Fitzgerald may take a similar approach to what he did with Jesper Bratt, who signed two short-term deals before securing an eight-year extension. Mercer, who has recorded 64 goals and 131 points in 246 games, mirrors Bratt’s early career production.
Dawson Mercer
A potential two-year deal for Mercer could fall in the $6 million range, with an average annual value of $3 million. This would leave the Devils with nearly $2 million in cap space, providing flexibility for in-season moves. Mercer’s durability—having not missed a game since his rookie season in 2021-22—adds to his value as a reliable presence on the Devils’ second line and power-play unit.
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