Mercer Impressing With Finesse and Longevity | FEATURE

Devils rookie Dawson Mercer has done it all in his first NHL season.
Offense? Sixteen goals ties him for fourth on the team. He's also tied for fourth in points with 37.
Defense? Coach Lindy Ruff has put Mercer out on the ice in all defensive situations and he ranks third among Devils regulars in plus/minus.
How about longevity? He's the only player remaining on the team who has played in every Devils game this season.
"Health wise, fortunate he didn't get injured. Playing wise, he's put a consistent year together. He's helped us in different areas. Power play, some penalty killing. Played center, played wing when we've had injuries," said Ruff.

As Ruff noted, longevity has been a strength of Mercer's game but so has versatility. He's played up and down the lineup a lot this season and in all three positions.

"He's got some unique tools. Evasiveness, for his size you'd think he'd get run over but he doesn't. He can get himself out of tight spaces and make plays in small areas," Ruff added. "To do it consistently, it's a credit to how the year's gone for him."
Right now, Mercer has found a home with the red hot Jack Hughes and Yegor Sharangovich with some hefty offensive contribution from the trio.
"Is there something good between players? Those guys, especially Jack, feed off each other. Jack likes playing with a guy who can find him, is looking for him and is able to keep up with him for the most part," noted Ruff. "Right now, it's who you're clicking with. You've seen Jesper Bratt up and down, Nico with Jack. I'll put them together in games especially after penalty kills. You'll often see Bratt, Mercer and Jack together."
Mercer noted that in junior he played two seasons at center and two season on the wing so he has no preference. His current line features three natural pivots.

"I can take face-offs when we want to. Whoever's hot in the face-off circle you go and take it," Mercer said, adding even after the puck is dropped, the on-ice positioning is fluid. "I like it. Playing with Shar and Jack, we rotate in the O zone, find space on our own to create scoring opportunities."
Mercer has averaged 16:22 of ice time per game this season which ranks fifth among Devils forwards. He's able to play so much because he's so strong defensively.
"He's always been known as a good two-way player and that's the one quality that's helped him put himself in position whether it's offensively or defensively," stated Ruff.
Mercer added to his coach's thoughts.
"I like to play with speed, be responsible defensively and transition to offense, score some goals."
The most games Mercer has played in a season is 68 which he accomplished in 2018-19 with Drumondville. In 2019-20, he only played in 42 games as a result of a combination of playing for Team Canada at the World Juniors, injury and the season being cut short due to COVID. Last season, a shortened COVID QMJHL campaign again limited him to only 23 games.
"It's a long season, we're up to 67 and there's 82 to play. It's fun, though. It's a tight schedule and now in April to finish it all off. We like to play and get out there to enjoy," Mercer stated.
"I look forward to it. A lot of games in a short amount of time. For a young group, keep that pace and make sure we don't really fall off. This month can be really great for us."