It is not too early to begin contract extensions. The league has already seen one splash made for a contract extension. Another is on the horizon. Today we focus on a Timo Meier contract extension. Tom Fitzgerald has said talks will begin soon.
Timo Meier Extension Talks To Heat Up
Rumour: Mike Zeisberger from NHL.com discusses a Timo Meier Extension
Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald to begin contract talks with RFA forward Timo Meier this week, via @NHLdotcom https://t.co/QCZfeIuBiI
— Mike Morreale (@mikemorrealeNHL) June 6, 2023
New Jersey was the big winner at this year’s trade deadline. After being able to outbid division rival Carolina Hurricanes, Timo Meier was a New Jersey Devil. The plan is for him to remain in New Jersey, given the cost it took to acquire him. Tom Fitzgerald will begin contact extension talks this week. Locking up his prized acquisition is massive long-term. Meier is one of two key restricted free agents on this Devil’s roster. For a team where the contention window just cracked open, this is huge going forward.
The Season He Had
A Timo Meier contract extension makes sense for the Devils long term. It brings stability to their top two lines and balances the lineup. Meier was the perfect piece for the team. He goes to the front of the net, is physical, and forechecks hard. Throughout the entire season, Meier went on to score 40 goals, 26 assists, and 66 points. It took time to settle in, but Meier made his impact.
In 21 games for New Jersey in the regular season, shot attempts with him on the ice were in New Jersey’s favour. In addition, Meier had expected GoalsFor of 18.07 to 12.07 against. The most significant difference was scoring chances heavily outweighed the opposition.
Fast forward to the playoffs, and Meier was one of the best players on the team. You can argue the results were not there, but it was not for lack of trying. Here is how Meier performed in the playoffs in terms of generating chances:
Corsi For: 55.52%. Shot attempts 171-137
XGoals For: 57.19%. 9.42-7.05 differential
HDCF: 52-33. Goals we’re 5-4
Scoring Chances: 95-72
Individual xGoals: 4.75
In eleven games, Meier did manage just four points. But it was not for a lack of trying and his effort was noticeable.
What A Contract Looks Like
The goal is to ink a Timo Meier contract extension. Fitzgerald goes on to say, “We would love nothing better to tie him up long term,” Fitzgerald told NHL.com at the NHL Scouting Combine. “That’s our goal. That’s what Claude and I will go through.
Ironically, Meier’s agent is former Devil Claude Lemieux. The goal will be to hammer this deal out and it is important it gets done. Meier is an RFA on July 1. However, he is one year away from UFA which is a situation New Jersey would like to avoid given the haul given up for him. Meier fit in nicely once he got settled in. Now it is putting pen to paper. New Jersey will have around $35 million in salary cap this offseason.
Main Photo: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
