Prospect Info: Dawson Mercer (#18 pick - 2020 draft)

[NJDsince90]

If I had to guess I'd lean towards RW, but could fill in as C in a pinch if there's injuries or something. Guess it depends on if Zacha stays long term and/or how other fwd prospects develop.

 

[HenriquesJawLine]

Very excited about him, seems like the do everything middle six guy all the contending teams have while still being highly skilled

 

[Ol Dirty Bstrd]

This combination makes Mercer not only a high-upside potential star, but also an extremely versatile player

This line doesn’t really jive with the rest of his scouting report. I know you’re more bullish on prospects than most but nothing I’ve seen or read suggests he has high upside star potential. Sorry to nitpick but I think it’s important to manage expectations

 

[New Jersey Devils]

Really excited for this kid. Just watching his media availability he presents himself so well. Could really see him become a future captain.

 

[Guadana]

After yesterday nerveus i feel illness. Cant find power to write much.
it`s a great pick. He was my number one for 18. I could only dream about his droping.

 

[StevenToddIves]

This line doesn’t really jive with the rest of his scouting report. I know you’re more bullish on prospects than most but nothing I’ve seen or read suggests he has high upside star potential. Sorry to nitpick but I think it’s important to manage expectations

I ranked Mercer #13 in the entire draft. I don't rank kids that high if I feel they're going to be "useful parts". But yes, I tend to be an optimist.

The reason I am so high on this kid is he has a ton of intangibles and then when you add in his hands -- which are just phenomenal -- and excellent shooting/passing skills, it gets me quite excited about his potential. Yes, I also wish he was an elite skater -- and this is what he would need to improve his explosiveness in if he is to truly become a star.

 

[janesy12]

May be some bias here being from Newfoundland but I've watched this kid play quite a bit and you'll love him. Works hard, skilled, versatile, can play C or W, good defensively, plenty of character.
I believe skating seems to be his "downside", which luckily is something that can be worked on.

He'll be an NHL player for sure IMO. Solid pick, congratulations.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

He seems like a perfect complementary player. Can play wing or center, great penalty killer, skilled enough to play up and down the lineup. He’s the “glue guy” that coaches love.

 

[My3Sons]

as an S

a Skater, my mans is so well-rounded he may be the entire Exodia of our prospect deck!

Is Yugioh still a thing? My oldest son loved to play that when he was younger. I loved the art on some of the cards.

 

[AfroThunder396]

Sounds like Joey Anderson on steroids

 

[Lou is God]

I ranked Mercer #13 in the entire draft. I don't rank kids that high if I feel they're going to be "useful parts". But yes, I tend to be an optimist.

The reason I am so high on this kid is he has a ton of intangibles and then when you add in his hands -- which are just phenomenal -- and excellent shooting/passing skills, it gets me quite excited about his potential. Yes, I also wish he was an elite skater -- and this is what he would need to improve his explosiveness in if he is to truly become a star.

Sounds like if he can improve his skating that we might have a Patrice Bergeron 2.0 on our hands.

 

[Hischier and Hughes]

Is Yugioh still a thing? My oldest son loved to play that when he was younger. I loved the art on some of the cards.

it is! i dont happen to play it but its still very popular, a few of my buddies have a few grand worth in cards

 

[Comparison Ford]

Was hoping he would sneak into the top 15- I think the Devils got a great pick in Mercer

thank you Satan

 

[GameSeven]

Really happy with this pick. Seems like great value at 18 and at a position of need.

 

[JrFischer54]

Isn’t what he’s projected to do and how he plays the same projections for mcoled

 

[oxman44]

Wow. I was thrilled when Chicago took Reichel and Mercer was there for Fitzty to smartly take. He was the guy I hoped would fall to 18 and happily he did. @StevenToddIves and his high praise was enough to entice me to watch some of his games many months ago in the doldrums of covid.

Well it it took me all of about *3* shifts into the first game to say to myself "Damn, I love this kid, I hope he's a Devil!"

I think everybody has covered his toolkit pretty well by now, so I wont gush too much over his hands and IQ. a few quick hitter thoughts I have:

I think he's ultimately a RW and he'd be the prefect fit on the wing with Nico. with both of them possesing high Skill, elite IQ and great defensive games, I think its just a prefect fit. (as are Holtz and Jack)

Yes, He does have plenty of offensive upside and an underrated shot.

He is not a fast skater at this point, but the way he plays the game you would never know because hes always ahead of the play and in the right spot

This pick is kind of under the radar right now, but I have a feeling within a couple years all us devils fans are going to be absolutely loving this kid, and lauding getting him at 18. no doubt a fan favorite

 

[TBF1972]

as an S

a Skater, my mans is so well-rounded he may be the entire Exodia of our prospect deck!

that's helpful. with schneider bought out the devils needed a backup goalie. it feels good to have it covered.

 

[ninetyeight]

This line doesn’t really jive with the rest of his scouting report. I know you’re more bullish on prospects than most but nothing I’ve seen or read suggests he has high upside star potential. Sorry to nitpick but I think it’s important to manage expectations

I don’t know what you’ve read exactly, but to me Mercer absolutely has a first line 30 goal potential and a pretty comfortable floor as a 3rd liner with his complete all around game. He was putting 2 ppg pace in the chl, until he moved to his current team. I assume there’s was an adjustment period with new linemates coaches etc, and expect him to get more or less to 1.5 - 2.0 Ppg rate this season. That’s typically similar pace that other NHL stars have had in the CHL.

 

[Oneiro]

Draft Class Deep Dive: RW Dawson Mercer

 

[Jason MacIsaac]

I am getting a Brad Marchant vibe (skill wise) from this kid.

 

[glenwo2]

I am getting a Brad Marchant vibe (skill wise) from this kid.

Just so long as we don't get a Brad Marchant vibe (on-ice personality wise), I'm cool with that.

As much of an a-hole that the Rat-faced bastard is, he is one hell of a Hockey player.

If Dawson even comes remotely close to that level, he would be one of, if not the, ultimate steal of this draft even if he was drafted in the first round.

 

[PizzaAndPucks]

Guys keep in mind when watching Mercer's stats this year that his junior team (Chicoutimi) plays on an Olympic sized rink. So half of his games will be played on a bigger rink that usually results in lower scoring games. Chicoutimi is the only team in all of the CHL to play on Olympic ice and it has factored in to many players point totals over the years. That could explain Mercer's points per game dipping when he got traded there. That and the fact he went to a whole different team. Regardless I'm sure he will still pile points this season and make that pick look like a good one.

 

[NJ DevLolz]

Another thing to love: of Mercer's 54 goals scored in the Q the past two years, only 10 have come on the PP. He is doing most of his damage at ES.

 

[Eggtimer]

Zajac like player ? Zajac comparison as his floor?

 

[oxman44]

Zajac like player ? Zajac comparison as his floor?

ehhh not really IMO. On the defensive side yes, but Much more skilled than Zajac and much more of a scorer's mentality. Ill have to think about a comp for a bit..