New Jersey Devils head coach is not afraid to speak the truth, even when it’s harsh. Whether a player is going well, or struggling, his blunt persona remains. That was true on Wednesday when he was asked about Dawson Mercer’s strong play through the first 13 games of the season, sending a harsh, but true message to perhaps any Devil in the future.
READ MORE: Devils Top Forward Prospects Struggling for Offense in AHL; What Gives?
There’s one big difference between the way this season started for Dawson Mercer, as opposed to last year.
“It starts by showing up at training camp on time,” Keefe said to the Devils media. “That’s helpful, that’s part of it. That’s a coach talking, but yeah, I don’t know what to tell you other than he got here and got a full camp [this season].”
Mercer missed the first day of training camp in 2024-25, the first season Sheldon Keefe took the mantle as New Jersey’s head coach. He signed later that night, and arrived on day two, however, that was enough for Keefe to assess Mercer as a step behind.
This year, he was there from day one. So, how did arriving on time benefit the 24-year-old forward?
“He’s with the guys, second-year under me and what we’re trying to accomplish here,” Keefe explained. “It’s just different. All that with the contract is in the rearview mirror, and he’s just showing up ready to play hockey, and he’s done a good job.”
Through 13 games this season, Mercer’s totaled eight goals and 14 points. He’s on pace for his best season yet, although his current 50-goal pace may not exactly be how it ends.
Regardless, Mercer’s stepped it up, mostly skating alongside Nico Hischier on the second line.
Like seasons before, he’s been given many hats to wear. Yet, his success has remained a constant in all different facets of the game.
“I think he’s had a real good level of consistency in his game,” Keefe mentioned. “He hasn’t had any real drop-offs, and he’s gotten rewarded for that. He’s scored in different ways. The puck has gone in for him at five-on-five, the power-play, [and short-handed]. He’s had empty-netters, all of these things. You start to look early in the season and your stats look good, it helps confidence. I just think he’s been consistent.
“Last year was a bit up and down, you didn’t know what you were going to get each day. I think it’s been pretty solid no matter what we’ve asked of him be it wing, center, power play, or penalty kill. He’s done a nice job.”
In terms of Mercer’s style, not much has changed.
He ranks in the 61st percentile in high-danger shots on goal, whereas last season he ranked in the 88th percentile. If anything, eh should probably have scored less than he has so far.
His bloated shot percentage (33.3%), certainly is means for regression to the mean. Factor in three empty-net goals so far, and his eight tucks quickly looks more like five. Which, is still fine, however, his shot percentage is far above his 14.05% career average.
Thus, expect some regression. However, if Mercer can hover around the 16-ish percent he shot in the 2022-23 season when he scored 27 goals, then the Devils are in business. So far, Mercer looks like that player again.
In fact, he might have been all along, with his metrics on shot location indicating that perhaps he was more unlucky than he was good in 2024-25.
Regardless, pucks are falling for Mercer. He’s been one of the Devils’ best players thus far. Keefe is not afraid to explain exactly why that is, and perhaps, it’s holding him accountable.
Stats via NHL Edge.
