Where will Timo Meier land at the NHL Trade Deadline
Anthony Scultore
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Timo Meier is a unique name for this upcoming NHL Trade Deadline set for March 3. The 26 year-old will be a restricted free agent with salary arbitration rights in July, and has a huge $10 million qualifying offer that has scared off many teams.
That being said, there are three teams emerging as real destinations for Meier’s services.
The New Jersey Devils, Carolina Hurricanes, and St. Louis Blues are all leading candidates to add Meier this season.
Timo Meier landing spots
What we should start off with is a simple fact: The San Jose Sharks do not need to trade Meier unless they get the max return at the deadline. Because he’s an RFA, they can qualify him for one more season and trade him at the next deadline for probably more of a return.
Remember, the salary cap is expected to rise by another $4 million for the 2024-25 season. Simple math suggests more teams will be able to get involved and sign him to an immediate extension, similar to what the New York Islanders just did with Bo Horvat.
Our sister site, Forever Blueshirts recently spoke with Sportsnet’s Luke Fox about Meier and the trade deadline.
“I think the favorite has to be the New Jersey Devils and the second being the Carolina Hurricanes,” Fox explained. “I see an arms race in the Metro with the Islanders and Rangers making their big moves. Those teams have cap space, and they could sign him to his $10 million qualifying offer if need be or negotiate something less on an AAV to keep him longer.”
While that’s great news for the Devils, recent trades by GM Doug Armstrong for the St. Louis Blues have given him three-first rounds picks in the 2023 draft to make a splash. On a recent TSN Insider Trading, Pierre LeBrun reported the news.
“Blues general manager Doug Armstrong told reporters over the weekend that he wants this to be a pretty quick re-tool He’s looking for players who are 25, 26 years old as he reloads over the next year,” LeBrun reported. “Well, guess what? Timo Meier is 26 years old. And yes, we’re told the Blues have inquired with San Jose on Meier. Remember, the Blues now have three first-round picks, and my understanding is the Blues would be ready to part with two first-round picks in a package for Meier.”
This was also a huge point made by Fox when discussing the Blues recent trades of Vladimir Tarasenko and Ryan O’Reilly.
“I think St. Louis might be able to do a quick rebuild on the fly,” he explained. “Now the rumors is [Armstrong] might be interested in flipping those (recently acquired first-round picks) for Timo Meier.”
Meier currently has 31 goals and 52 points in 57 games for the Sharks. Here’s my odds on where he may land come March 3.
- San Jose Sharks 30%
- New Jersey Devils 25%
- St. Louis Blues 20%
- Carolina Hurricanes 15%
- Other 10%