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With absolutely nothing happening in the hockey world right now, and for the foreseeable future, I’ve decided to take the plunge and write player profiles for each member of the New Jersey Devils.
As was the case when I did them last summer, we’ll be looking at the season they just put together and expectations moving forward.
I’ve written up 19 players thus far, with Joey Anderson being the most recent.
Today we’re going with Dakota Mermis.
Counting stats: 10 games played, four points (one goal, three assists), 19:13 average time on ice
5v5 underlyings: 1.45 points/60, +3.95 CF% Rel, +40.18 GF% Rel, +9.28 xGF% Rel, 106.3 PDO
2019-20 review: Dangerous Dakota Mermis was around for a good time – not a long time – but the way he played made me slightly uncomfortable (in a good way).
He mostly skated with Damon Severson on what was the team’s best pairing over the span of a few weeks. I think Severson was the top partner Mermis could have hoped for but, to his credit, he might have been the team’s best defenseman during his short time in the NHL.
The Devils got the better of the chances, expected goals, and actual goals with Mermis on the ice. The same can’t be said of any other defender on the roster.
Mermis was serviceable defensively, he moved the puck fairly well, and he was surprisingly involved in the offensive zone.
Mermis generated more shots per 60 than every Devils defender; he was gripping and ripping it every chance he had. Not to the extent that he hurt the team’s attack, though.
They averaged more shots and expected goals with Mermis on the ice than all Devils blueliners. That wouldn’t be the case if all he did was hinder the offense with low percentage shots.
Fun fact(s): Of the 244 defenders to play at least 160 minutes at 5v5, only 12 were on for more than 13 high-danger chances per 60. Mermis was one of them, joining notables such as Dougie Hamilton, Shea Theodore, and Shea Weber.
2020-21 outlook: Mermis played surprisingly well for the Devils down the stretch. I think he has earned another contract with the team and the opportunity to fight for a spot in camp.
I don’t think he should be penciled onto the roster. Not by a long shot. With due respect to Mermis, he’s a 26-year-old journeyman who is generally fairly limited offensively. He’s also not a lockdown defender by any means.
While his net impact with the Devils was positive, he ranked at or near the bottom of the team in attempts, expected goals, and high-danger chances against per 60. The Devils gave up a lot; they just generated more. I understand net gain is net gain but a) it was 10 games and; b) there’s reason to be skeptical of him continuing to help drive offense to the extent he did.
Again, give him a contract. Reward him for his quality play in Binghamton and over a cup of coffee with the big club. But let’s not get carried away.
numbers via naturalstattrick.com and hockey-reference.com
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