Two years ago, the New Jersey Devils had a real chance to get Timo Meier. Many analysts had tied the Devils to Meier for years because of his connection with Nico Hischier. The two had played together at the IIHF World Championships, and there was clear chemistry between the two. So, when the Devls sent a huge package of draft picks and prospects to get Meier, nobody was surprised.
The move made a lot of sense for the Devils and San Jose Sharks. While most of the pieces would arguably have trouble making noise on the Devils, Fabian Zetterlund and Shakir Mukhamadullin are exciting young players for the Sharks. Most fans clammor for Zetterlund, but Meier has a unique skill set that fits with New Jersey. He's made his impact in many ways, and the goals will come. He's signed with the Devils through the 2030-31 season.
The Devils have a similar opportunity this season, but this one would take some more work. This isn't the same salary cap situation as the Devils were dealing with in 2022-23. They would need to send some money the other way, and there are too many players with no-trade clauses to make this work easily.
Before we get into how this will work, let's talk about why Kyrou is available at all. This is a 26-year-old star who is signed to a long-term contract.
Kyrou has fallen off slightly since signing his long-term deal. He was an All-Star in 21-22, but he hasn't made it since. His numbers have fallen off, and he never hit the ceiling many thought he would. Some thought he could even be a 100-point player in the right situation, but it seems like it's more likely he could be a multi-time 70-point player.
This season, Kyrou is on pace for 64 points. That's nothing to scoff at, but it's not what most thought he would be at this point in his career. Is it because he's on the St. Louis Blues, a team that has seen everyone fall down a peg? They did just get Brandon Saad to agree to letting more than $5 million disappear from his contract just to get away. Could Kyrou hit his ceiling in a better situation?
We can't see a better situation for Kyrou than playing next to Jack Hughes. The Devils desperately need another winger in the top six. This would move everyone down a line, including Ondrej Palat who is back to his mediocre ways despite playing next to Hughes himself.
Jordan Kyrou is the perfect fit at the trade deadline for the New Jersey Devils
Right now, Kyrou is playing next to Dylan Holloway and Brayden Schenn. No offense to them, they are good players, but they aren't Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt. Kyrou would absolutely eat on that Devils top line.
We've established the on-ice fit. Kyrou would be incredible if he traded blue for red. However, the Devils need to make this work for the Blues. They went all in on a team surrounding Kyrou and Robert Thomas. Many of their moves make sense, but they haven't worked. Sometimes, a team just needs a reset.
Kyrou is the type of trade prospect that's worth a massive package, just like Meier. Would the Devils offer Simon Nemec? Could another team match that proposal when draft picks and other prospects are added? Kyrou is signed through 2031 at a little over $8 million, so if he hits his ceiling, it might be worth it.
The Devils could move Jonas Siegenthaler to long-term injured reserve to fit Kyrou, but that wouldn't be enough. They'd have to send contracts the other way. Maybe it's both Tomas Tatar and Nathan Bastian, but then they'd have to replace them. Would that put them in a position to add even more salaries, negating the value coming with trading them? Maybe they can bring back Kevin Labanc, who hasn't fit with the Blue Jackets this season.
Kyrou is on trade boards, like Sportsnet's, for a reason. He's at least in the conversation. Tom Fitzgerald needs to get himself in those conversations, and he should be open to an uncomfortable price to set this core top six for half a decade.