New Jersey Devils: Dawson Mercer Sends A Very Clear Message

The New Jersey Devils won again. With so many rumors tied to Timo Meier, some Devils players could get distracted. The ones tied to those rumors could especially get distracted. Yegor Sharangovich, Simon Nemec, Alexander Holtz, and Dawson Mercer have all been mentioned as possible targets for the San Jose Sharks.

At least one of those targets is making a case to stay with the Devils for a long time. Dawson Mercer is having the best stretch of his entire career. He has seven goals in the past five games, and he’s added two assists. Prior to this week, Mercer had one multi-goal game. His overtime goal on Thursday night secured his second this week.

Rumors started to swirl that Mercer was a part of the Meier discussions. Nobody really said it was a realistic return. In fact, it sounds like asking for Mercer is why it’s taking so long. If Tom Fitzgerald was even thinking about moving Mercer, he’s ending those conversations right now.

Dawson Mercer makes an important point as trade winds blow wild.

It’s not just his counting stats, which have recently been off the charts. Over the past five games, Mercer is second among forwards in high-danger chances. Only Tomas Tatar has more.

Mercer obviously has the most 5v5 goals in the past five games (only Jesper Bratt has more than one). He’s tied for the most 5v5 shots over that time with 13. He has 10 individual high-danger chances, which, you guessed it, leads the team.

A fan wants to see the players step up when their back is against the wall. Have we ever seen a better example than what we’re seeing right now? Maybe Patrick Kane scoring a hat trick after Vladimir Tarasenko was traded to the New York Rangers counts, but that’s about it.

Mercer doesn’t want to get traded. He wants to be a part of a winning culture in New Jersey. The Devils cannot trade this man. Especially after this week.