Thoughts on Mercer?

[bbfl1987]

Small sample size, but looks promising so far. Thoughts on if he may stick with the Devils this year? Is he going to move to wing eventually so he can play a top 6 role? He’s available on my wire, so just curious if he’s worth an add.

[Bubba55]

Mercer has transitioned incredibly well to the NHL. I think he absolutely sticks with the Devils but I'm not sure how he might be deployed. Bottom 6 is a pretty safe expectation and moving into the top 6 is not out of the realm of possibility but I don't think it is likely, at least not on a full time basis. Middle six for a rookie year would be very nice and if he continues to play like he has so far that is a realistic expectation. It all depends on what you might have to give up to pick him up, if it costs you nothing it's absolutely worth doing, if a drop is required then you need to look closely at that.

[bbfl1987]

Mercer has transitioned incredibly well to the NHL. I think he absolutely sticks with the Devils but I'm not sure how he might be deployed. Bottom 6 is a pretty safe expectation and moving into the top 6 is not out of the realm of possibility but I don't think it is likely, at least not on a full time basis. Middle six for a rookie year would be very nice and if he continues to play like he has so far that is a realistic expectation. It all depends on what you might have to give up to pick him up, if it costs you nothing it's absolutely worth doing, if a drop is required then you need to look closely at that.

I’m not too concerned about his deployment this year, as I’m not going to compete for a while. I was wondering more about 2-4 years down the road.

[Bubba55]

Mercer does not have the upside of other high end prospects IMO, Caulfield and certainly Zegras for example, but he has a very good chance of becoming a 60 - 70 pt forward on a regular basis, upside of 75 if the stars align. That's not too shabby. Problem is, and a good problem to have BTW, you have a lot of good young forward prospects that likely have a higher upside than Mercer, guys like Suzuki Thomas, Tolvanen, Tomasino and Kyrou as well as the aforementioned Caulfield and Zegras. I would consider him as being on the bubble projecting out 2 - 4 years. He's likely in the mix but far from a sure thing keeper for you given your current roster in a keep 9.

[lobo1969]

Anyone have revised expectations for Mercer now? I have always projected him as a top 6, 60 pt upside kind of forward. But he is doing great things 5v5, with little PP production to pad his numbers. I'm honestly thinking to sell high on him if I can...

[random-d]

Anyone have revised expectations for Mercer now? I have always projected him as a top 6, 60 pt upside kind of forward. But he is doing great things 5v5, with little PP production to pad his numbers. I'm honestly thinking to sell high on him if I can...

I think you would be Mercer-less if you did that.

Dad jokes aside, I think Mercer is playing better so far than either Hischier or Hughes thus far. I wish you could trade him to me.

[stevegamer]

Anyone have revised expectations for Mercer now? I have always projected him as a top 6, 60 pt upside kind of forward. But he is doing great things 5v5, with little PP production to pad his numbers. I'm honestly thinking to sell high on him if I can...

Dobber did in his Ramblings, enough to put Mercer on his personal Wall of Shame for missing on him completely. I think the expectations have to be increased. I liken him to Sillinger in that regard, neither of these guys was expected to stick.

[Eli26]

SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP!

Why must you burn my soul with this question? Mercer is dead to me! He's making me a dumbass for trading him for Carter Verhaeghe. I had him, even made a huge post and thread about him... search for it here... did a huge analyze of him. His biggest fan. But he wasn't supposed to be this good this soon and Carter was supposed to be getting more usage and being deployed more on their top PP unit. His shot rate has gone down, and as a result his goal count has suffered. AHHHH!

WHY MUST YOU HURT ME LIKE THIS?! I HATE FANTASY HOCKEY!

I quit. *stomps angrily and screams like a big man child*

[Eli26]

I take it that I answered that question. And even if he does hit a wall as a rookie, he's so good it shouldn't last too long. He really is a young Patrice Bergeron.

- - - Updated - - -

*now sits and cries*

[bbfl1987]

SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP!

Why must you burn my soul with this question? Mercer is dead to me! He's making me a dumbass for trading him for Carter Verhaeghe. I had him, even made a huge post and thread about him... search for it here... did a huge analyze of him. His biggest fan. But he wasn't supposed to be this good this soon and Carter was supposed to be getting more usage and being deployed more on their top PP unit. His shot rate has gone down, and as a result his goal count has suffered. AHHHH!

WHY MUST YOU HURT ME LIKE THIS?! I HATE FANTASY HOCKEY!

I quit. *stomps angrily and screams like a big man child*

If I could trade him to you, I would. I’ve felt that kind of pain. Haha

[Eli26]

If I could trade him to you, I would. I’ve felt that kind of pain. Haha

D'awe thanks bud. <3

[finnys_fanatsy]

How we feeling now? I just acquired him and I’m curious. TBH I never really had him on my radar until I started looking into the Devs a bit.

[stevegamer]

Still feeling fine. He's not good at faceoffs yet - to be expected, but he's doing well as a 20 year old who wasn't supposed to stick.