Why Timo Meier is Trending

Timo Meier - Image Generated by DALL·E

The New Jersey Devils have made a big splash in the NHL trade market, acquiring star forward Timo Meier from the San Jose Sharks in a complicated deal. The Devils received Meier, Timur Ibragimov, defensemen Scott Harrington, Santeri Hatakka, goaltender Zachary Emond and a fifth-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft in exchange for New Jersey's first-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft (conditional), defensemen Shakir Mukhamadullin and Nikita Okhotiuk, forwards Andreas Johnsson and Fabian Zetterlund, a conditional second-round selection in the 2024 NHL Draft and a seventh-round selection in 2024. San Jose will also retain 50% of Meier's 2022-23 salary as part of the trade.

Meier, 24, is a 6-foot, 210-pound forward who has recorded 31 goals and 21 assists to total 52 points in 57 games with the Sharks this season. He has been held out of San Jose's practice due to an upper body injury and has not played since. The Devils plan to use Meier short-term and then explore the possibility of a long-term deal later.

Meier will join two former teammates on Team Switzerland in the 2022 World Championships. He has also represented Switzerland in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, the 2017 and 2018 IIHF World Championships, and the 2018 Winter Olympics.

The Devils are a year ahead of schedule and are in second place in the Metropolitan Division. With the addition of Meier, they are hoping to make a deep playoff run this season. The Sharks, on the other hand, are in the midst of a rebuild and are looking to the future with the draft picks they received in the trade.

Overall, the trade is a win-win for both teams. The Devils get a talented player who can help them make a playoff push, while the Sharks get valuable draft picks to help them build for the future.