New Jersey Devils: Tom Fitzgerald Playing Chess In Timo Meier Negotiations
Over the past few weeks, it has been made known that New Jersey Devils fans really are demanding a Timo Meier trade. After a few IIHF Summer Hockey tournaments with Switzerland, seeing Meier’s chemistry with current Devils captain Nico Hischier. It had us dreaming of the give-and-go, power in the high-danger zone, blitzing the neutral zone, and offensive zone entries with ease.
Timo Meier has his first goal of the tournament, coming on the PP. Good work between him and Nico Hischier to make it 1-0. #IIHFWorlds pic.twitter.com/7kvQ48BcCd
— Steven Ellis (@SEllisHockey) May 22, 2021
Seen the way these two play together is a unique blend of Swiss upbringing, and how they raised a very high bar at the national level for this emerging superpower. Segueing over to superpower, it really sounds like Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald has to call Sharks GM Mike Grier on his bluff. Right now, the ask is astronomical.
A source familiar with the situation tells me that the #NJDevils continue to be in talks to acquire Timo Meier from San Jose before the March 3 deadline.
— Robert Aitken Jr. (@RobertAitkenJr) February 22, 2023
A big sticking point, I'm told, is that the Sharks continue to ask for Dawson Mercer as part of a return.
First off, yes, the Devils are in talks to get Timo Meier. We’ve heard that asking for Mercer is “a bit of a stretch.” Was told that a different roster player on the Devils is gone if the trade goes through, but the rest remains around a prospect (not named Luke Hughes or Simon Nemec) and a few other assets.
Right now, Meier has been out of the lineup, but as former Devils reporter for The Athletic Corey Masisak reporter, he could come back as soon as Thursday night.
David Quinn said Tomas Hertl and Erik Karlsson are expected to play tomorrow. James Reimer will be back in net again. Timo Meier is questionable because of the upper-body injury.
— Corey Masisak (@cmasisak22) February 22, 2023
If there’s a piece that should be added to list of targets, Kaapo Kahkonen makes for an interesting one. The Devils would have to make the swap with Mackenzie Blackwood. Kahkonen is under a two-year deal with the Sharks in net. This swap can help both teams. The Devils would have flexible options letting Akira Schmid and Nico Daws cook a bit longer in Utica before getting called up, and Vitek Vanecek can stay the main starter.
That's career @pepsi shutout No. 1 for Kaapo Kahkonen! pic.twitter.com/zCXJjWGbJE
— NHL (@NHL) March 9, 2021
Given the information already provided on the Timo Meier front, it seems as if Tom Fitzgerald is playing Texas Hold’Em against Mike Grier. If Fitzgerald knows how to read the room, it could be fortuitous toward a trade.
dark. Next. 3 Possible Stadium Series Opponents
If the Devils do get Timo Meier for a better price because Grier asked for too much and no one else would pay that demand, then it would be a fair shake for Tom Fitzgerald to make a big move. In some ways, this trade may feel riskier, but in the end, it could be a good investment long term with an extension. Meier does fit a lot of needs, and the Devils’ window of playoff contention is only opening.