Timo Meier
Position: RW
Age: 26
Height/Weight: 6’1″, 220 pounds
Statistics: 28 goals, 20 assists, 48 points (49 games played)
Player Overview
During Elliote Friedman’s latest 32 Thoughts podcast, he once again linked the New Jersey Devils to San Jose Sharks’ winger Timo Meier. He is arguably the hottest name on the trade block and multiple teams are out for his services. There is a clear need and a fit for him within the New Jersey Devils’ lineup.
The Swiss winger was drafted during the infamous 2015 NHL Entry Draft ninth overall by the San Jose Sharks. He became the third Swiss player to be drafted to that franchise, and he has spent his entire young career with the club.
Meier has made a name for himself with the Sharks. Last season was a career year for Meier as he set career-highs in goals (35), assists (41), and points (76). However, this year he is on pace to shatter those totals. He is on pace for 47 goals and 80 points.
The six-foot-one, 220-pound winger is your prototypical power forward. Something the Devils have longed for. He is willing to get physical (106 hits which ranks first on the team), while also being able to contribute offensively. In addition, Meier also excels defensively as the above player card indicates.
His 200-foot game is something to admire. Add in the fact he is an established 30-goal scorer and 50-plus point producer, he is any NHL team’s dream.
Contract
Timo Meier is in the final year of his four-year contract which carries a cap hit of $6-million. However, Meier is a pending restricted free agent (RFA) and that qualifying offer is worth $10 -million.
Given he is a RFA, there are a few different options for him this off-season. His incumbent team can sign him to a new contract, which will kick in, before the qualifying offer. He can accept the qualifying offer and play on a one-year deal worth $10 million which will take him to unrestricted free agency next off-season. Or, the least likely, he can decline the qualifying offer and remain a RFA until he is signed.
Regardless of all these options, if he is traded the most likely is he is extended by his new team. As for what that contract can like look, it starts at eight years. The salary is what would be interesting. The Devils are likely to have three high-paid players in Jack Hughes ($8 million), Nico Hischier ($7.25 million), and Jesper Bratt (pending extension, but likely to be in between Hughes and Hischier).
Teams carry several high-paid players at once. It is not abnormal, though, when doing so, these players are usually a little cheaper than they should be. If they acquire Meier, and extend him, expect a price cheaper than his market value, which, according to Dom Luszczyszyn of the Athletic, is currently $11 million (no, he will not be getting this from anyone in the NHL).
Potential Fit With Devils
The Devils strength is down the middle with a one-two punch of Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier. But, they lack a true scorer and firepower on the wings. Outside of Jesper Bratt and Ondrej Palat, it is thinned out with true impact. Consistency and a pure scorer is what the Devils need, and Meier fits the bill.
Not only does he have a lethal shot, but he plays the power forward role well and would bring a much needed physical presence and sense of toughness. It’s almost too perfect of a fit from the Devils’ perspective.
Would A Deal Makes Sense?
The short answer, yes. It is no secret Tom Fitzgerald was looking for scoring. This past off-season he tried for both Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk, but failed to land either. Ondrej Palat is a fine player, but plays a different style compared to Meier. There is a fit and there is a need for Meier on this Devils roster.
As mentioned above, he is in need of a new contract and the Devils could go ahead and pay him as well as Bratt and lock up their top six for the foreseeable future. If each player ‘buys in’ as Fitzgerald mentioned in his interview with the Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun, retaining both is very possible. Especially since New Jersey will have roughly $36 million in cap space this off-season.
Further, it also has been long-known that Fitzgerald does not want to be in the business of acquiring pricey rentals. Given Meier is a RFA, he certainly wouldn’t be such and reportedly the Devils are confident they would be able to extend him.
The Devils have one of the best prospect pools in the league, and could send young intriguing talent over to San Jose. Granted, Luke Hughes and Simon Nemec are off limits, but guys like Alexander Holtz, Reilly Walsh, and Yegor Sharangovich are all pieces that can be enticing. Along with the draft capital that the Devils have. Especially since the team’s first-round pick seems poised to be a very late one.
It’ll be interesting to see how the trade deadline plays out. But, interest in Timo Meier from general manager Tom Fitzgerald and the Devils seems very real from all the reports. Landing him would give the Devils’ an extremely impressive top-six forward group for years to come.
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