Assessing Dawson Mercer's Career & Gauging Mike Sullivan's Potential Fit
Plus, keep tabs on the Devils' pending free agent class and take a deep-dive into Jesper Bratt's professionality.
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Evaluating Dawson Mercer's Game Season-By-Season
April 27, 2024 by JP Gambatese (THW Premium Content)
Since making the jump to the big leagues, 22-year-old Dawson Mercer has made an appearance in all 246 games that he’s been eligible for, having missed none due to injury or illness which is an accomplishment in and of itself. With that in mind, though, the youngster has still endured his fair share of up-and-downs, most notably and recently falling victim to a season-long slump in which his counting stats and analytical profile took a major hit from seasons prior. In order to properly analyze his slow-down this season, one needs to take a deep dive into his play since getting drafted and take a season-by-season tour of his career.
Does Penguins Head Coach Mike Sullivan Make Sense for the Devils?
April 30, 2024 by Josh Reinitz
New Jersey Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald has conducted much of his search for a new head coach in silence. Rumors of candidates being considered, let alone being interviewed, have been scarce. Devils fans have kept an eye on the Pittsburgh Penguins, hoping head coach Mike Sullivan may be cut loose as general manager Kyle Dubas looks to remake the team with the hope of another run to the Stanley Cup for Sidney Crosby. In his public statements, Dubas has been unequivocal in supporting Sullivan and his desire to move forward with Sullivan as his coach. Case closed, right? Not exactly.
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5 Lessons the Devils Can Learn From 2024 Playoff Teams
April 27, 2024 by Josh Reinitz
All professional sports leagues are full of copycats. Once a team finds an innovation that works, other teams immediately begin trying to replicate and improve on the concept. The teams that adapt most quickly are often the teams that win the most consistently. This season, the New Jersey Devils’ failure to adapt and innovate in the face of clear opponent adjustments amid significant injuries cost them an opportunity to return to the playoffs. Here is a look at what lesson the Devils can take from the playoff teams when looking to evolve to make a run next season.
New Jersey Devils 2024 Free Agent Forwards
April 25, 2024 by Josh Reinitz
Coming off of a wildly-successful 2022-23 campaign, last summer’s offseason was set up as one where the New Jersey Devils’ key priorities were to lock up wingers Jesper Bratt and Timo Meier long term. They also had several decisions to make on their own pending unrestricted free agents (UFAs), but it was clear most would not be returning. This season, the crop of pending UFAs is also extensive. Still, the difference is that the bigger-ticket free agents were jettisoned at the trade deadline, leaving behind a cadre of role players with a shrinking amount of cap space to allow for retention.
Jesper Bratt Has Evolved Into a True Professional for the Devils
April 25, 2024 by Daniel Amoia
On June 15, 2023, the New Jersey Devils inked Jesper Bratt to an eight-year, $63 million contract extension. As with any major deal, there was some question amongst the fanbase as to how his play would follow it up. Now that the season has come to an end, it’s safe to say he lived up to initial expectations. He reached the point-per-game threshold for the first time in his career, notching 83 points (27 goals, 56 assists). That mark led the team by nine (Jack Hughes, 74).
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