September 17, 2024 | 11:44aM ET
TheFourthPeriod.com

MERCER, DEVILS CONTINUE TO GRIND AT DEAL

Dawson Mercer, forward

The New Jersey Devils and restricted free agent forward Dawson Mercer are maintaining daily contract discussions as the two sides try to work out a new contract.

On NHL Network on Monday, TFP’s David Pagnotta reported the Devils and Mercer’s camp have generated progress over the last few days and could be inching towards an agreement.

With training camps across the NHL set to open Wednesday, beginning with physicals, the urgency to get a deal done is moderately amplified.

According to Pagnotta, the two sides are still focused on a short-term agreement and have been discussing two- and three-year options.

“Likely looking at a short-term deal,” Pagnotta said. “Sounds like they made a little bit of progress over the weekend to kind of bridge that gap, but they’re still having conversations.”

It is believed that Mercer’s camp is looking for around or just north of $4 million per season on a short-term deal, while the Devils are trying to get him closer to the $3.5 million to $3.75 million range.

Mercer, 22, registered 20 goals and 13 assists for 33 points in 82 games with the Devils last season.