NHL Rumors: Timo Meier contract talks, and Flames eyeing Evan Rodrigues
Anthony Scultore
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The NHL Rumors mill has certainly died down in August, but you can expect it slowly start to ramp up in a few weeks. Preseason action will begin in late September, so when training camps open buzz will grow around many of the unrestricted free agents still on the market.
Of course, there’s a handful of names to keep an eye on next season like Patrick Kane and J.T. Miller. Both those players are entering the final year of their contracts with expectations they will be traded. There are also players like David Pastrnak, who is entering the last year of his deal that could potentially be moved if he refuses to sign an extension.
In San Jose, there is a member of the Sharks that could become a very interesting name at the next trade deadline as well.
NHL Rumors: Timo Meier
Meier, 25, registered 35 goals and 76 points in 77 games in 2021-22. He is entering the final year of his contract and will be in line for a raise from his current deal that pays $6 million per season.
“There haven’t been any negotiations or anything,” Meier said this week. “I haven’t really thought too much about it, to be honest. I know my contract is up in a year, but I’m trying to focus on getting ready for the season and getting ready physically, doing my work during the offseason and having a good start into the season.”
The Sharks don’t have a lot of pressure because Meier is going to be restricted free agent with arbitration rights next summer. They are in control of the situation, unless Meier indicates he won’t sign more than a one-year deal that will make him unrestricted in the summer of 2024.
My expectation is that the Sharks and Meier will find their way to a multi-year deal before next July.
NHL Rumors: Evan Rodrigues a Flames target
The Calgary Flames are the definition of taking life’s lemons and making lemonade.
They started the summer by watching Johnny Gaudreau walk via free agency and then being forced to trade Matthew Tkachuk. Using that deal as a catalyst, they acquired Jonathan Huberdeau and MacKenzie Weeger to bolster the lineup. After extending Huberdeau, they upgraded their center position by signing Nazem Kadri and trading Sean Monahan to accommodate the transaction.
Now, according to Elliotte Friedman on his last 32 Thoughts Podcast, GM Brad Treliving may not be done improving his roster.
“I think they’re going to add another forward,” Friedman said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if they sniffed around on Evan Rodrigues.”
Last season, the 29 year-old amassed 43 points in 82 games. He’s a versatile forward that can give the Flames even more options at either center or wing.
