I’d rather see Mercer at 1C in AHL than stuck on the wing. Maybe switch him and Clarke.

Liked Clarke's season last year, but don't think he's had nearly good enough of a camp so far to earn a spot. He's gonna probably get to play at least 2 preseason games, and he really needs to show up otherwise he will be in Utica which imo is fine for him. No need to rush him. In terms of Mercer, I think putting him on the wing with Pav and Janne will be beneficial to start.

I see nothing to gain by playing Mercer out of position just to get him into lineup. At least make the line:

Zacha - Mercer - Kuokkanen

Otherwise, his long-term development is best served by playing top minutes as 1C in Utica.

I see plenty of benefit of Mercer playing wing because the odds of him knocking Nico or Jack from a C position are slim. And he has too much talent to be a third line C. Funny thing to note also is that Mercer is listed primarily as a RW on this site

In my view, a 3C is far more valuable a player than the third player on a top line.

Not sure why they list him as RW.

Mercer played exclusively center last two years at Chicoutimi.
Central registrar listed him as center.
He was drafted as center.
Devils have been playing him a center in camp.
And list him as center on roster.
Only place he has played wing in last few years was on Canadian WJC roster.

I would be interested to hear your guys opinions on whether or not Holtz and Mercer will make the NHL roster opening night?

Mercer has good shot at making team in 3C role.
He is making it hard for coaches to cut him.
But my guess is that they both start year in AHL and are up sometime this season.