On Friday, the Devils re-signed Dawson Mercer. They reached agreement on a three-year deal worth a $4 million cap hit through 2026-27.

A 2018 first round pick, Mercer has proven to be a versatile forward for the Devils. Originally drafted as a center, he’s also shifted over to play the right wing. A reliable player who can be used on the power play and penalty kill, the 22-year-old is featured in the top nine. He can play on any line.

Following a strong second season that saw him establish career highs in goals (27), assists (29), points (56), plus-minus (22), even strength points (24-20-44), and game-winning goals (6), Mercer struggled with consistency in 2023-24. A slow start didn’t help. He still finished last season with 20 goals with 16 coming at even strength. However, he only had 33 points and posted a disappointing minus-26 rating in 82 games.

Mercer is a key Devil who must rebound. The talent is there. A good skater with scoring instincts, he has the potential to become more consistent. He also is a player who can make the right read defensively. In his first three seasons, he has two shorthanded goals. He should continue to develop overall.

In what amounted to a busy summer, Devils team president and general manager Tom Fitzgerald made some good additions to a roster that missed the playoffs last season. That included overhauling both the blue line and net. They’re hoping that key defensemen Brett Pesce and Brenden Dillon can upgrade the defense. Jacob Markstrom is the new starting goalie. With Jake Allen backing up, it could be a good tandem.

The Devils also made some smart moves to solidify their forward depth. By adding the gritty Paul Cotter, they became tougher. If there was an area they lacked during a disappointing 2023-24, it was in that department. They were easy to play against. Cotter is a physical player who finishes checks and can chip in offensively. He should become a fan favorite.

Tomas Tatar returns after a year away. Known as Tuna, he fit in well on the 2022-23 roster. After struggling last season, Tatar is looking to bounce back in New Jersey. He had success in his first stint, scoring 20 goals and tallying 28 assists with a plus-41 rating. While there’s no guarantee for a repeat, he’ll be playing with players he’s familiar with. That should help.

Stefan Noesen is also in his second tour of duty with the red and black. A secondary scorer who likes to make a living in front of the net, he should be an asset on the second power play. He had good success with the Hurricanes the past two seasons. He should be good for double digits in goals and 30 points.

The Devils are taking a look at Kevin Labanc. A player who once put up 56 points (17-39-56) in San Jose, the Brooklyn native is looking for a fresh start. He didn’t fit into the Sharks’ rebuild. A shifty skater with playmaking capability, Labanc is someone to keep an eye on in training camp.

Preseason gets underway on Sunday night. The Devils host the Islanders tomorrow at 7 EST. It’ll be shown on MSGSN.