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Today is August 29th; New Jersey Devils The rosters for the upcoming 2024-25 NHL season are basically set.
But there is one exception.
Restricted free agent forward Dawson Mercer remains without a contract.
Now, there is no need to panic here, we are not even at the beginning of September yet (although it will obviously be there soon), so there is still time for both parties to come to an agreement. While I am sure most fans and supporters of the team would like to see this done, that is not always the case in professional sports. The Devils still have a considerable amount of cap space (just under $5 million), so what is holding up this deal?
I think neither side is satisfied because Mercer has been an integral part of the team since he joined. In three full NHL seasons, he has yet to miss a game or have missed a game due to health issues. However, his declining point totals could be a sensitive point in negotiations. Also, another issue is that if Mercer signs a long-term contract, he may want to be paid a bit more per season, so finding the sweet spot for a transitional contract could be a moot point. I believe the Devils also want to leave themselves salary flexibility when the trade deadline comes in case they want to add a player or two. There may be other factors that influence the discussion, but from an outsider’s perspective, these are usually the obstacles that hinder the discussion.
As we speak, the clock is ticking; training camp is scheduled to open in early to mid-September. Missing the start of training camp and/or the preseason isn’t the death knell of a player’s season, but it certainly doesn’t help. Obviously, no one wants Mercer to miss any time, and it helps him because the Devils need to find some frontcourt pieces that can produce immediately. There may not be as many young non-roster players vying for a spot this season, but if I were Mercer, I’d rather compete and fight for a top-6 spot than have to accept whatever spot opens up if I miss training camp/preseason.
While I would prefer the Devils lock him up long-term right now, I don’t think that’s the case given the cap space the team currently has remaining. While some might argue that less than $5 million per season is fair for Mercer right now based on his performance through 2023-24, his performance in his first two seasons suggests his value could be higher than that. Why would he sign a contract that limits his long-term earning potential after a down season? I think a bridge contract is more likely here due to the drop in numbers, and it helps both the team and the player. Mercer can re-establish a higher value for himself (hopefully with a higher cap as well), while the Devils lock him up for a lower price in a season where cap space could be tight.
While a transition agreement seems like the logical approach, I can only assume that the two sides have not yet agreed on a dollar amount, which is why Mercer has not yet signed a new deal. This weekend is the beginning of September, and the clock will tick quickly for the start of NHL activity. The Devils and Mercer need to find some common ground soon, as this will be the best way to ensure the roster is as close to full as possible, as expectations are high and results are demanded of the team this season.
What are your thoughts on the Devils’ contract situation with Dawson Mercer? Do you think a deal will be reached before training camp starts? Should the team try to sign him to a long-term deal with a salary cap hit equal to or less than the rest of the season? Are you more inclined toward a bridge contract? Are you concerned about him having to “catch up” if he doesn’t sign before the team regroups? Please leave any comments below, and as always, thanks for reading!
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