Montreal Canadiens: Could Dawson Mercer be the 16th Overall Pick?

The Montreal Canadiens will be selecting 16th overall at the 2020 NHL Entry Draft on Thursday. If still available, Dawson Mercer may be that pick.

The 2020 NHL Entry Draft is quickly approaching which means the Montreal Canadiens will have an opportunity to add to their prospect pool. While there are talks that Montreal Canadiens General Manager Marc Bergevin is willing to move the 16th overall selection for the right price, the pick still belongs to the team. Therefore, speculating on who the team may select is still on the table.

Scouting Report: Dawson Mercer

When the time comes to make their selection, it would not be surprising to see the Montreal Canadiens select Chicoutimi Sagueneens forward Dawson Mercer. Originally from Bay Roberts, Newfoundland, the 6’0 right winger is one several high-rated prospect in this year’s draft who is expected to go within the top-20 selections.

While lacking in high-end skating, a consistent two-way game makes for an enticing pick for a team looking to bolster their future top-6 cupboards, making Mercer an appealing pick for the Montreal Canadiens.RW Prospects Cole Caufield and Jesse Ylonen, while showing potential, are but two prospects who have yet to play in the NHL. An insurance policy would put the organization in a comfortable position.

Offensive Game

In his draft year with  with the Drummondville Voltigeurs, Dawson Mercer recorded 26 points (11 goals, 15 assists) in 61 games with 4 points (1 goal, 3 assists) in 10 games played. In the following year, Mercer made significant strides, increasing his production to 64 points (30 goals, 34 assists) in 68 games.

In the shortened 2019-20 season, Mercer was traded from the Drummondville Voltigeurs to the Chicoutimi Sagueneens of the QMJHL. Before the trade, Mercer had put up 18 goals and 24 assists for 42 points in 26 games. With the Sagueneens, Mercer recorded 18 points (6 goals, 12 assists) in 16 games.

While his production does not reach the numbers of highly-touted offensively dynamic players, when Dawson Mercer has the puck, one sees the confidence he has and the ability to carry plays and how it can continue to evolve as he nears making the NHL. However, without the puck, the same cannot be said as he struggles to create players and space in the offensive zone the same way he does with the puck.

Although improvement is still needed, and will likely be seen as he develops, fortunately for Dawson Mercer, he already excels in another aspect of his game when not on the offensive.

Defensive Side

Excelling on the defensive of the game would make Dawson Mercer a very enticing pick for a Montreal Canadiens team coached by Claude Julien’s system. Exemplifying a high hockey IQ, Mercer’s defensive game makes him a very effective in terms of awareness of his surroundings in knowing which plays the opposition may attempt.

Dawson Mercer’s effectiveness in his own zone is also seen in his stick-checking as he is able to create turnovers to break the opposition’s play up and get the puck out of the zone and often uses this opportunity to bring the puck over to the offensive zone himself. However, to be able to do this at the NHL level, his skating would need to improve.

Potential and Ceiling?

While not the flashiest player on the draft boards, Dawson Mercer may be the safest if the Montreal Canadiens were to take that route. With top-6 potential and being the the type of player who can play up and down the lineup, similar to Joel Armia, may be a player the team wants in the pipeline.

The draft, particularly the first round, should always be used to select the best player available and with no consensus picks by the 10th overall selection, it is no guarantee Dawson Mercer would be that player, depending on who is available. Players such as Seth Jarvis, Hendrix Lapierre and Braden Schneider may also be available.

Similar to how Cole Caufield fell to the Montreal Canadiens in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, another highly-touted may fall to the Canadiens if they keep the pick.