New Jersey Devils Improve Firepower for Playoffs, Trade for Timo Meier

The New Jersey Devils have been hinting to their fans that they’ve had an interest in bringing in some extra firepower for their 2022-23 Stanley Cup Playoff run, and now they’ve pulled it off by acquiring a star forward from the San Jose Sharks, Timo Meier.

In 57 games played, Meier has put together an astounding 31 goals and 52 total points on a Sharks team that is absolutely horrific this season.

Now, the 6’1″-220 lbs sniper will be heading to New Jersey to play with Jack Hughes and the rest of the Devils, hoping to improve upon his -11 rating this year on the ice with San Jose.

The Devils are gearing up for the playoffs by trading for Timo Meier.

Now that the full trade details have been released, here is what the Devils gave up to the San Jose Sharks and what they received in return:

Timo Meier now becomes the third Switzerland-born player on the Devils’ roster, alongside captain Nico Hischier, and defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler.

It’s to be expected that in his first game with ‘Jersey, Meier will most likely play on a line with Nico Hischier. This will give him a major confidence boost playing on the first line, while also building some chemistry with a fellow countryman.

This trade with the San Jose Sharks brings a pure, natural goal-scorer who will bring heavy firepower to the already stellar power-play unit. Meier is also a big-bodied skater who can play any kind of game necessary.

In tough, physical matchups, Meier has the strength and size to match the tone. In high-scoring games, he has the elite skillset to score and assist goals. And when games come down to the wire, Meier has the awareness and stick-checking capability to lock it down in the defensive zone.

He is the total package.

The drawback of this trade for New Jersey is Timo Meier’s contract, although retained by the Sharks, still does some serious damage to their salary cap. Furthermore, as part of the official trade, the Devils did not complete it with a contract extension in place for Meier.

However, in the immediate lens for the New Jersey Devils, they acquire their star sniper, and with a few more subtle trades yet to possibly come as we inch closer to the March 3 NHL Trade Deadline, the team is ready to take on the heavily stacked Eastern Conference in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.