NHL Rumors: 5 forwards most likely to sign early extensions this summer

By Marci Rubin | Jul 18, 2023

May 20, 2023; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Hurricanes center Sebastian Aho (20) pushes the puck up the ice against the Florida Panthers in game two of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports /

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Mar 9, 2023; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; New Jersey Devils center Dawson Mercer (91) skates with the puck as Washington Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov (92) chases in the first period at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

Forwards most likely to sign early extensions: 3. Dawson Mercer (New Jersey Devils)

The New Jersey Devils would be wise to lock up Dawson Mercer this summer. The 21-year-old forward’s entry-level contract expires after next season, when he will become an RFA. The Devils can avoid Mercer’s RFA status next summer by completing an extension before then.

Mercer was electric during the 2022-23 season, playing in all 82 games for the Devils. He tallied 56 points, up from the previous season’s 42. He had many memorable moments during the season, including a hat trick, an eight-game goal streak, and a twelve-game point streak. Mercer has seen time as a center and as a winger. If Mercer doesn’t sign an extension this offseason and has a great season in 2023-24, the budding star’s value goes up and so does his price tag.

The Devils are hoping to get an extension done with Mercer sooner than his contract’s expiration. “I definitely would like to explore tying this young man up long-term,” GM Tom Fitzgerald said in June. A long-term contract could eat into some of Mercer’s potential UFA years. A shorter contract could allow this young, talented player to take advantage of the increase in the salary cap, so it will be interesting to see where this one lands. Mercer is eligible to become a UFA in 2028.

Fitzgerald noted that there’s no rush and that an extension could happen at any point after July 1. His comments indicate that a Mercer extension is coming, although it was not the top priority this summer, which makes sense with all the other more time sensitive moves the Devils had on tap.

In a piece for the Players’ Tribune in April, Mercer professed his gratitude for being on the Devils. “I don’t know how else to say it other than to say it simply: I’m just really glad I’m a Devil,” he said. In the piece, Mercer spoke highly of his teammates, coach, the organization, and Devils fans. Fitzgerald should get this done so that Mercer can continue building something really special with the team.

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