The New Jersey Devils were among the big winners at the 2023 NHL Trade Deadline when they added Timo Meier to their team from the San Jose Sharks. He is a big, physical winger who can lay the body and score goals in bunches. In the year he came over, he finished with 40 goals (31 with San Jose and 9 with New Jersey).
2023-24 didn't go exactly how Meier or anyone on the Devils wanted it to. He battled some injuries, leading him to fall short of the goal-scoring heights that we are used to seeing him reach, but he still managed to lead all Devils players in goals with 28.
Coming into the 2024-25 season, Meier is the 8th most important person in the organization. His physical presence and ability to score are pivotal to their success. Meier is healthy, used to being a Devils player, and has no excuses to be anything other than a high-volume contributor.
The New Jersey Devils need Timo Meier to have a big year in 2024-25
The hope is that the new coaching staff uses Meier the right way. He was much better on his natural side once Lindy Ruff was fired. With Sheldon Keefe in charge now, you'd like to think that he can help Meier reach his highest level again.
Meier is an elite winger when his game is at its peak. It doesn't matter if he is on a line with Nico Hischier or Jack Hughes as his center. Both of them present different ways for Meier to get the puck in the back of the net.
Meier's physical game will also make more room for those shifty centers that he could be playing with. Creating more room for himself and others is a big part of his game.
Before last year started, the Devils gave Meier a hefty contract extension. It could prove to be very team-friendly (just a tick over $8 million) but he needs to fill the net for that to be the case. If you have a player who is disappointed with 28 goals, you know you have a wonderful player.
When training camp starts, if Meier is as healthy as he can be, expect the great power forward to start what eventually becomes a great season. With other great forwards around him, the scoring depth on this team can be great. He figures to be a big part of it all.