Teams have the ability to trade for Meier and re-sign him to a contract right away. But the issue is that if you don't have a deal in place beforehand you're either going to have to qualify his offer for 10mil for one season (which he might do then walk anyway) or let him walk into FA. It's a really good deal for Meier but bad for teams.

People think we're in the front running because Nico and Timo are both Swiss, apparently good friends, and have played together internationally multiple times. However, you might see Meier not on the Devils after the deadline because everybody knows he controls his future going into FA. You might see him sign with us in the offseason if the Sharks asking price doesn't come down (which it should since they aren't re-signing him).
- Pomegrant

"But the issue is that if you don't have a deal in place beforehand you're either going to have to qualify his offer for 10mil for one season"

Are you saying the deal in place beforehand is a deal he made as Shark or as a Devil? And does that deal need to be at 10 mil? If the sharks made a sign a trade deal, can they sign him, hypothetically 8 yrs @ 5 mil, or does it have to be at the 10 starting point then either go up, down or stay 10 across the board?

"But the issue is that if you don't have a deal in place beforehand you're either going to have to qualify his offer for 10mil for one season"

Are you saying the deal in place beforehand is a deal he made as Shark or as a Devil? And does that deal need to be at 10 mil? If the sharks made a sign a trade deal, can they sign him, hypothetically 8 yrs @ 5 mil, or does it have to be at the 10 starting point then either go up, down or stay 10 across the board?
- Leniwm1

The way restricted free agency works is that a team can send a qualifying offer for a one year contract which is 10% on top of the money the player made in the last season. It isn't related to his cap hit. So his cap hit might only be 6 mil but since his contract is structured to make 9mil+ actual dollars you'll need 10mil to qualify.

The player doesn't need to accept the qualifying offer and can still negotiate other contracts looking for a better deal, but most people suspect Meier would just take a one year 10mil deal because it would make him one of the highest paid players in the league and then make him an unrestricted free agent the season after.

"But the issue is that if you don't have a deal in place beforehand you're either going to have to qualify his offer for 10mil for one season"

Are you saying the deal in place beforehand is a deal he made as Shark or as a Devil? And does that deal need to be at 10 mil? If the sharks made a sign a trade deal, can they sign him, hypothetically 8 yrs @ 5 mil, or does it have to be at the 10 starting point then either go up, down or stay 10 across the board?
- Leniwm1

The Sharks are allowing teams to discuss a contract extension with Timo/his agent before a deal is made(if the Sharks like that teams offer.) The contract extension, if agreed upon, can be any structure. The expected extension for Meier is in the 8 years, 8-9M AAV range. There is more world he plays under a 1 year, 10M qualifying offer. Whoever trades for him will either give him a big extension or will using him as a rental and won't qualify him, allowing him to become a UFA.

I hoping Meier is good with 8.5x7 and wants to play with Nico for his entire contract because I'm pretty sure prospect + 1st and some player for a cap dump will get us there. Also would put us in a great spot for this postseason too which I wouldn't want the org to piss away since it's the first time we're good in a long time and we look like we can actually compete.

Jeff Marek on his radio show today: "All roads point to Timo Meier for the New Jersey Devils." Talked with Wysh about how he's just the perfect fit.

Jeff Marek on his radio show today: "All roads point to Timo Meier for the New Jersey Devils." Talked with Wysh about how he's just the perfect fit.
- vlongo4419

This is starting to give me ptsd from when we traded for Kovy.

This is starting to give me ptsd from when we traded for Kovy.
- RubberBiscuitz

Theres so much smoke around it, almost too much! I'm ready to be extremely disappointed when he goes somewhere else lol

New lines today:

Palat-Nico-Bratt
Sharangovich-Jack-Zetterlund
Tatar-Haula-Mercer
Wood-McLeod-Bastian

Okhotiuk back in for Bahl


Honestly dont mind these lines. I would have left Bo in for Wood, but thats obviously never happening lol. We'll see how long these last before Ruff puts Haula back with Jack tomorrow.
- vlongo4419

Gasp! A good 3rd line! Showcasing those wingers with Jack, perhaps? Shara, Blackwood and a 1st?

Gasp! A good 3rd line!
- MartysBetter88

the first shift hughes takes will have Haula on his wing.

Stephenson was so so close to deflecting Hughes’ pass with his right skate. A game of inches.

SJ making some minor moves for players could be an indication for what a trade coming up looks like since they got a utility player that can fill both defense and forward.

SJ making some minor moves for players could be an indication for what a trade coming up looks like since they got a utility player that can fill both defense and forward.
- Pomegrant

all we can do is cross our fingers.. and wait. Someone mentioned it before.. reminds me a lot of the Kovy saga. The difference is our best players are all young except for Hamilton, where with Kovy we had more of a mix. There's also the feeling that Meier could be a better fit than Kovalchuk ever was.. and certainly he won't retire on us, one would imagine. But the growing anticipation is real.. the refreshing of the webpage multiple times a day.. the cautious hope..

Timo to the Avalanche.

What other free agents are a possibility for the Devils?

Timo to the Avalanche.

What other free agents are a possibility for the Devils?
- Jazzmaster30

*Nieto to the Avs.

SJ making some minor moves for players could be an indication for what a trade coming up looks like since they got a utility player that can fill both defense and forward.
- Pomegrant

Meier to the rags is imminent

Do we have any AHL forwards or prospects that could be ready for the NHL next season? Not sure Foote will be that guy

Just thinking if we do get Meier even with players coming off, we will still need to sign some players and don't want scrubs just till fill the roster out

Sign one of graves or severson
Tatar and johnsson off the books
Haula off
Wood off
McLeod rfa?

Graves will get a raise
We will probably sign wood but can't see him getting more

Mercer Hughes Meier
Palat Nico bratt
Who's on 3rd and 4th line? Other than boqvist and zetts

Hamilton siegs
Marino Hughes
Graces nemec
Vet or bahl

I'm assuming holtz would be involved in the trade maybe shara

*Nieto to the Avs.
- Leniwm1

Thanks for the correction…..coffee did not kick in yet.

Hope we get Meier!!!

Do we have any AHL forwards or prospects that could be ready for the NHL next season? Not sure Foote will be that guy
- dmarsden2988

It's pretty thin down there at forward at the moment if we're excluding the career AHL guys (who could undoubtedly fill in for a game or two if needed). Don't have too much youth getting added in down there at forward in the near future either outside of Chase Stillman and maybe a random other depending on how overseas contracts shake out.

Outside Foote/Thompson combo we've been seeing rotated in and out, I'd say Graeme Clarke is deserving of a look. Can't say I've watched him play, but his numbers show he had a great start to his AHL career, plateaued a bit in his second season, then has come out in great form this season production wise.

Given that Foote/Thompson haven't exactly jumped off the page, I think Clarke's earned a look, but there's obviously more to it than just what the G/A/P stats say. Time will tell with that one.

Do we have any AHL forwards or prospects that could be ready for the NHL next season? Not sure Foote will be that guy

Just thinking if we do get Meier even with players coming off, we will still need to sign some players and don't want scrubs just till fill the roster out

Sign one of graves or severson
Tatar and johnsson off the books
Haula off
Wood off
McLeod rfa?

Graves will get a raise
We will probably sign wood but can't see him getting more

Mercer Hughes Meier
Palat Nico bratt
Who's on 3rd and 4th line? Other than boqvist and zetts

Hamilton siegs
Marino Hughes
Graces nemec
Vet or bahl

I'm assuming holtz would be involved in the trade maybe shara
- dmarsden2988

The two guys I'm really interested in seeing if they contend for an opening night roster spot are Clarke and Gritsyuk, a ton of people are rightfully incredibly high on Grits and hes been tearing up the KHL over the last month or two after a slow start(10 goals, 23 points in his last 25 games). He was very good last year too in both the regular season and playoffs. The only question is if he comes over after his season this year, like Mukhamadullin is expected to. As for Clarke, he's taken some nice strides over the last 2ish years and he's been Uticas best forward this year. I'm hoping he gets some games this year to get a little taste of NHL action.

I could see Tatar being brought back as well, especially after the strong season he's having right now. Maybe something like 3.75-4M for 2 years.

Elliotte Friedman with a quick hit on Timo Meier on a Toronto podcast, "With Meier, the thing with the Leafs is you can do it and then flip him. The price is going to be enormous though. They dont have cap room or picks, so idk if they have the juice to pull it off. NJ is the team to watch there. They've made it very clear that they like Meier and they would like to do it, so the team Toronto needs to outbid is the Devils."

Elliotte Friedman with a quick hit on Timo Meier on a Toronto podcast, "With Meier, the thing with the Leafs is you can do it and then flip him. The price is going to be enormous though. They dont have cap room or picks, so idk if they have the juice to pull it off. NJ is the team to watch there. They've made it very clear that they like Meier and they would like to do it, so the team Toronto needs to outbid is the Devils."
- vlongo4419

I guess the question is Timo a player you overpay for ?

I guess the question is Timo a player you overpay for ?
- Leniwm1

Depends on what you consider an overpayment. But with an extension, yes he is.

I guess the question is Timo a player you overpay for ?
- Leniwm1

Absolutely yes, with an extension.
He solidifies our top 6 as being legit. No more throwing bottom 6 guys in there and hoping they do something. Guy creates scoring chances and lets it rip, deservedly so. And he’ll be 27 in October. Having played with Nico before is a bonus and hopefully eases the “Kovy chemistry” concerns. We have plenty of young depth, studs and potential stars, we can part with a piece to give us a legit dangerous offense for the next several years, assuming we keep Bratt.

Absolutely yes, with an extension.
He solidifies our top 6 as being legit. No more throwing bottom 6 guys in there and hoping they do something. Guy creates scoring chances and lets it rip, deservedly so. And he’ll be 27 in October. Having played with Nico before is a bonus and hopefully eases the “Kovy chemistry” concerns. We have plenty of young depth, studs and potential stars, we can part with a piece to give us a legit dangerous offense for the next several years, assuming we keep Bratt.
- MartysBetter88

I just wonder what we would have to give up and what he is willing to sign for or is he dead set on signing his qualifying offer before thinking of extension

But would give Nico and Hughes a top winger to play with

Hughes bratt
Nico Meier

And fill out the other wing other than palat

I can't see the devil's trading nemec or luke Hughes

Pretty sure it will be centered around holtz or mercer, a 1st and go from there, we may need to add for a cap dump just for this season as not sure how much room we have

I just wonder what we would have to give up and what he is willing to sign for or is he dead set on signing his qualifying offer before thinking of extension

But would give Nico and Hughes a top winger to play with

Hughes bratt
Nico Meier

And fill out the other wing other than palat

I can't see the devil's trading nemec or luke Hughes

Pretty sure it will be centered around holtz or mercer, a 1st and go from there, we may need to add for a cap dump just for this season as not sure how much room we have
- dmarsden2988

I don’t mind losing a 1st and a 2nd, Holtz, Shara, Wood, McLeod, Boqvist, Zetterlund, any forward prospects and most D including Bahl, Ohkytiuk (keep forgetting how it’s said or spelled lol), and if they absolutely have to.. I’d send Casey or Russian too. Maybe they want to roll the dice with a young Blackwood. At this point, assuming Bratt and Meier sign long-term, we really don’t need our picks for the next few years.. all our stars except Dougie are so young and under contract for term.

Luke and Nemec are off the table. Mercer too, in my mind. Just watching warmups up close the other game, him and Hughes were last to get off the ice and spent some time setting up 1-timers and appearing to be genuinely enjoying themselves. Mercer seems like a good room guy, and is so young with plenty of potential still.

Palat-Hischier-Bratt seem to have some nice chemistry going. We’ll see if this new line of Shara-Hughes-Zetterlund does anything. I’d be looking to try Meier with Hughes with how well the other line is playing. Throw anyone on the other wing. Maybe a 3rd line of Tatar-Haula-Mercer would generate some offense. At least Tatar and to a lesser extent Mercer have some finishing ability to go with Haula’s ineptitude.

I wonder how Bastian would look with Hughes and Meier, if he’d be Palat-like in his role, or if he just wouldn’t be able to keep up. I say staple Meier and Hughes together and keep trying different wingers with them until we run out and only then put Palat and then Bratt with them and watch magic happen. Tatar has been fine with Nico this season anyway. Tatar-Nico-Zett could be fine if we roll Palat-Hughes-Meier.

We just really need to get Meier lol.