How Deception Makes Dawson Mercer a Dual-Threat Top Prospect for the 2020 NHL Draft

After presumptive No. 1 overall pick Alexis Lafrenière, and Tim Stützle — Dawson Mercer (EliteProspects’ No. 15 prospect) is the best puck-handler in the 2020 NHL Draft. He’s liable to posterize a defender anywhere on the ice on a moment’s notice. Check out this highlight reel. It’s really something.

Every time a flashy highlight makes its rounds on Twitter, people say, “Oh, well, he won’t be able to that in the NHL.” I’m sure some readers are thinking that right now!

I’m here to tell you that Mercer will do precisely that in the NHL – of course, not at the same volume (and he needs to, you know, make the NHL first). Not because his hands are particularly quick, soft, or exceptional – they are. But because of what he does before the deke (i.e., the set-up).

All of those highlights have a