Finally, after what seemed like months of rumors, general manager Tom Fitzgerald has brought winger Timo Meier to New Jersey (first reported by Pierre LeBrun).
In addition to Meier, the Devils also acquired depth defenseman Scott Harrington, as well as three AHL/ECHL prospects, and a 2024 fifth-round pick (Colorado’s). In exchange, New Jersey sent three draft picks – a conditional 2023 first-round pick, a conditional 2024 second-round pick, and a 2023 seventh-round pick – as well as Fabian Zetterlund, Shakir Mukhamadullin, Nikita Okhotiuk, and Andreas Johnsson.
A saga that felt like ages has finally concluded. The Devils were able to beat out the likes of the Vegas Golden Knights and Carolina Hurricanes for Meier. In return, they are getting an elite goal-scoring, power forward with team control.
Note, as of now, there is no reported extension between the Devils and Meier. Meier is a restricted free agent at year’s end. In an unlikely scenario where the Devils qualify Meier, and he plays under that qualifying offer, the Devils would be on the hook for $10 million.
General manager Tom Fitzgerald said the following regarding a potential extension during his post-trade press conference: “We will start at some point to ink his name to a long-term deal. I think New Jersey will sell itself.”
What Are The Devils Getting?
Timo Meier
The 26-year-old Meier has already surpassed the 30-goal mark this year. Specifically, he is on pace for 43 tallies. This is the third time in his career that the Swiss-born winger has hit the 30-goal plateau.
Over the past two seasons, Meier it totaling points at a 78-point pace over an 82-game season. He has established himself as a premier offensive winger in the NHL who should be a 35-goal, 60-point plus player for years to come.
Outside of his scoring touch, Meier also brings a physical element the Devils have seemingly lacked. At six-foot-one and 220 pounds he is not afraid to throw around his body, as evident by his 112 hits this season (this figure would lead the Devils by 20). At the end of the day, he will be good for 100-plus hits every season.
Of course, hits do not always tell the whole story, but he is certainly someone that can be described as a prototypical power forward.
As for the analytics, they back up the above claim of the Swiss winger being an elite offensive player. As the above player card shows, over the past three seasons, Meier’s offensive on-ice impacts rank in the league’s 87th percentile. Another underrated aspect of adding Meier is the further depth to the power play that he will bring. As the above shows, Meier’s power play metrics are off the charts.
Defensively, he holds his own. Meier is about league-average in that area, as the 49th percentile defensive on-ice impacts over the last three years indicate. His defensive game is built upon the ability to use his large frame and physical play along the boards, as well as being strong in transition and entering the opponent’s zone (91% success rate per JFresh Hockey).
Overall, Meier is everything the Devils were reportedly looking for, and someone that will make an instant, huge impact. He is an established top-offensive winger in the league that can score at a prolific rate. He is also someone that will likely be around for the long haul, given his age and contract status.
For those interested, Meier will wear number 96 with the Devils. Also, he is currently battling a minor injury and is day-to-day. It is unknown if he will play in the New Jersey’s next game against Colorado on Wednesday. Meier is slated to join the team in Colorado on Tuesday.
Scott Harrington
Harrington is the second piece the Devils got in the deal. He is a 29-year-old defenseman who has spent nine seasons in the NHL. Harrington is a depth defenseman who has 238 of NHL games and 198 AHL games under his belt. Expect the six-foot-two, left-handed defenseman to serve as NHL depth in the event of an injury.
No, he is not an upgrade over Brendan Smith.
The Prospects and Pick
In addition to the two players above, the Devils also acquired three lower-level prospects, as well as a 2024 fifth-round pick that was originally Colorado’s. Below are quick blurbs about each of the prospects:
- Timur Ibragimov: A 22-year-old left winger who has played 23 career AHL games. The former 2019 sixth-round pick is currently in the ECHL where he has 11 goals, 21 assists, and 32 points in 53 games played. The Russian is six foot and 201 pounds.
- Santeri Hatakka: The left-handed defenseman is listed as six-foot-one and 192 pounds. He is also 22 years old and was also taken in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft in the sixth round. He has played 49 career AHL games – eight this year – and has nine NHL games under his belt. Those came last year during the 2021-22 season. He is definitely the most intriguing of the three.
- Zachary Emond: Another sixth-round pick, but in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, the Canadien goalie stands at six-foot-three. Emond has a .936 save percentage in four ECHL games this year. He played in 12 AHL games during the 2021-22 season where he posted a .867 save percentage. He is 22 years old.
What Did The Devils Give Up?
Shakir Mukhamadullin
As a seemingly consensus second-round pick, the Devils reached and selected Mukhamadullin with the 20th overall pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. The six-foot-four, 21 year old has played in Russia ever since he was drafted, putting up 25 points in 67 games this past year in the KHL.
At the end of the day, he is a very raw prospect who many have a hard time projecting out what type of player he will be at the NHL level. He has all the tools – good skating and length – to be a solid NHL defenseman. Though, supposedly, still has a lot of kinks to work out.
It’ll be interesting to see what he turns into. He is certainly the centerpiece of this deal. For context, many had him around the sixth-ranked prospect in the Devils’ system.
Fabian Zetterlund
The 23-year-old winger came onto the scene last year as he totaled 52 points in 58 AHL games. He also had a 14-game NHL stint where he impressed and totaled eight points.
The former 2017 third-round pick impressed this season prior to the trade, totaling 20 points in 45 games. As the below player card below shows, Zetterlund’s on-ice impacts were strong at both ends of the ice. More so defensively, which is encouraging for such a young player.
Zetterlund is a very intriguing prospect who may be undervalued by some. He has an electric shot, a strong frame at 220 pounds, and is an underrated skating. He is also quietly having one of the better seasons of any rookie in the NHL.
Certainly a nice get for the Sharks, as he should become a decent top-six forward for them at some point. Out of all the assets the Devils lost in the deal, Zetterlund is by far the one who has the strongest impact currently.
Nikita Okhotiuk
Okhotiuk was a second-round pick back in 2019. He has played 111 AHL games and 15 games at the NHL level.
The six-foot-one defenseman has largely been praised for his physicality and defense. While the physicality part may be true, his on-ice NHL impacts have just been so-so. Further, his game score at the AHL level, according to AHL Tracker, has been underwhelming.
At the end of the day, despite being a fan favorite, Okhotiuk is not a huge loss. The Devils have several fringe NHL defensemen in their system. Okhotiuk’s ceiling seems to be a bottom-pair, defensive defenseman which is easily replaceable.
Andreas Johnsson
Johnsson was acquired by the Devils from Toronto in October of 2020 in exchange for Joey Anderson. The 28-year-old winger played a total of 123 games in the NHL with New Jersey across three seasons. He totaled 18 goals and 46 points over his NHL stint in Newark.
Johnsson certainly did not pan out as everyone may have hoped. Though, at points, did flash his potential and contributed more than some give him credit for. Regardless, he was an AHL player with the Utica Comets this year, where he had 29 points in 36 games.
Getting his $3.4 million cap hit off the books certainly helped facilitate this deal. He is an unrestricted free agent at year’s end.
The Draft Capital
As mentioned above, the Devils sent three picks to the Sharks. A 2023 first-round pick, a 2024 second-round pick, and a 2024 seventh-round pick. The first two picks have conditions associated with them. Here are how those conditions read:
- 2023 First Round Pick:
- If the pick becomes a top-two pick, the Devils will send the 2024 first-round pick instead.
- 2024 Second Round Pick:
- If the Devils reach the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals (and Meier plays in at least 50% of the club’s playoff games) or if the Devils reach the 2024 Eastern Conference Finals, then New Jersey will send their 2024 first-round pick (top-10 protected).
- If the 2024 is a top-10 selection, then New Jersey will have the option to send their 2025 first-round pick instead.
- If the Devils reach the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals (and Meier plays in at least 50% of the club’s playoff games) or if the Devils reach the 2024 Eastern Conference Finals, then New Jersey will send their 2024 first-round pick (top-10 protected).
The Devils gave up their first-round pick this upcoming draft, which projects to slot in the late 20s.
Also, there is a possibility they will give up their 2024 first-round pick as well. Though, as the conditions outline, that is only if the Devils make it to the Eastern Conference Finals in either 2023 or 2024. If this does not happen, the pick will simply remain a 2024 second rounder and the Devils will hold on to their 2024 first-round pick.
New Jersey also gave up their seventh-round pick in 2023.
Final Thoughts
Rejoice Devils’ fans, general manager Tom Fitzgerald did it again. In an uber-competitive Eastern Conference, the Devils were able to bolster an already fantastic team with an elite offensive player. And, the most important aspect, they did so not only for the present, but for the future as well.
In the deal, they brought in an elite top-line winger who will likely contribute 35-plus goals per season. They were able to do so by not give up any of their top prospects – Luke Hughes, Simon Nemec, Alexander Holtz, or Arseni Gristyuk – as well as by keeping Dawson Mercer. At the end of the day, it is another deal all Devils’ fans should be thrilled with.
Oh, and as the above shows, they may not even be done yet.