The New Jersey Devils and forward Timo Meier have agreed to an eight-year contract extension with an average annual value of $8.8 million, league sources tell The Athletic. Here’s what you need to know:
- New Jersey made a big splash earlier this year by acquiring Meier in a multiplayer trade with the San Jose Sharks at the deadline.
- The 26-year-old had 40 goals and 26 assists last season between the two teams.
- The Devils went 52-22-8 and reached the playoffs, where they lost to the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round.
The Athletic’s instant analysis:
Why they made this move
It was always assumed that the Devils would try to lock up Meier, one of the league’s better power forwards, after they surrendered a handful of assets to acquire him from San Jose at the trade deadline. What complicated any potential extension was that Meier would have been due a $10 million qualifying offer as a pending restricted free agent.
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In that context, it’s a good bit of business here by general manager Tom Fitzgerald getting Meier at $8.8 million annually, particularly considering the Swiss native will only be turning 27 in August. The Devils now have him locked up for what should be the prime of his career. — Kurz
What’s next for the Devils
After re-signing Jesper Bratt, adding Tyler Toffoli via a trade with Calgary on Tuesday and now locking up Meier — the latter of two who combined for 74 goals last season, including 40 from Meier — the Devils’ offseason is off to a magnificent start. A team that finished tied for fourth in goals per game last season could be even more dangerous offensively next season. Attention will now turn to what they’re going to do in goal, as that’s still the one glaring weakness on the roster. — Kurz
Required reading
(Photo: Vincent Carchietta / USA Today)