The New Jersey Devils are on pace to clinch their first playoff berth since 2018, and now they’re making sure that their postseason run lasts.
The Devils acquired forward Timo Meier, one of the top prizes heading into the trade deadline, from the San Jose Sharks on Sunday. The Devils add a speedy 6-1, 220-pound power forward with three 30-goal seasons to their talented mix.
In addition to Meier, the Devils get forward Timur Ibragimov, defensemen Scott Harrington and Santeri Hatakka, goaltender Zachary Emond and a 2024 fifth-round pick. The Sharks retain 50% of Meier’s salary and receive New Jersey’s 2023 first-round pick (conditional), defensemen Shakir Mukhamadullin and Nikita Okhotiuk, forwards Andreas Johnsson and Fabian Zetterlund, a conditional 2024 second-round selection and a 2024 seventh-round selection.
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Meier, 26, was available because he will be a restricted free agent this summer and his team will need to give him a $10 million qualifying offer. The Sharks are rebuilding, having dealt Brent Burns in the offseason.
The Devils could get the cap hit down if they choose to sign Meier to a longer-term deal. They also have to sign RFA Jesper Bratt in the offseason.
Meier, who missed the past three games with an upper-body injury that isn’t considered serious, is the latest big name to join an Eastern Conference contender heading into the March 3 trade deadline.
Bo Horvat (New York Islanders), Vladimir Tarasenko (New York Rangers), Ryan O’Reilly (Toronto Maple Leafs) and Dmitry Orlov (Boston Bruins) have already moved. The Rangers are also expected to make a bid for Chicago Blackhawks star Patrick Kane after clearing cap space.
What are the conditions on the picks?
Condition A: If the 2023 first-round pick is a top-two selection, New Jersey will instead send its own 2024 first-round pick.
Condition B: If New Jersey reaches this year’s Eastern Conference final (and Meier plays in at least 50% of the playoff games) or the 2024 conference finals, New Jersey will transfer its 2024 first-round pick to San Jose (top 10 protected) instead of a second-rounder. If the 2024 first-round pick is a top 10 selection, the Devils have the option to transfer their 2025 first-round pick to San Jose. If New Jersey transfers its 2024 first-round pick under Condition A, New Jersey will instead transfer its own first-round pick in 2025 should they reach the 2024 Eastern Conference final.
Who are the other players in the deal?
Harrington has spent the majority of 2022-23 with the Sharks, scoring one goal and six assists in 28 contests. Hatakka has two assists in eight games with the San Jose Barracuda (American Hockey League) this season. Ibragimov and Emond are playing with Wichita (ECHL).
Mukhamadullin was drafted 20th overall by New Jersey’s in 2020 and is playing in the Kontinental Hockey League. Okhotiuk played in 15 career games over two seasons in New Jersey, with two goals and an assist. Johnsson spent three years with New Jersey, spending most of this season in Utica (AHL). Zetterlund has six goals and 20 points in 45 games this season with the Devils.
