Timo Meier to New Jersey Devils? Three trades that could get the deal done

Timo Meier could be wearing red and black sooner rather than later. On Sunday morning, NHL media reported that only Vegas and New Jersey were interested in acquiring the talented Sharks winger. A few hours later, the Golden Knights traded for Ivan Barbashev, essentially pricing themselves out of acquiring Meier.

All signs point to Meier being traded to New Jersey before the deadline. Meier would add an instant jolt of offense to a forward group already at a wealth of talent. Meier would also be lethal on the second line for the Devils with Jesper Bratt and Jack Hughes.

What’s going to get the deal done? Here are three trade options that could send Timo Meier to the New Jersey Devils.

Trade Option 1

New Jersey Devils acquire:

• Timo Meier (50% Contract Retained)

San Jose Sharks acquire:

• Miles Wood
• 2023 1st Round Pick
• (50% Contract Retained)

Chances are the Sharks would also want a prospect as a return, but with small returns happening as a trend throughout the league, the Devils should be able to hold the Sharks to either a pick or a prospect in a Timo Meier trade. The way the Sharks rebuild is looking, they should opt for the pick. Miles Wood is the most likely cap casualty piece to return to the Sharks in any trade.

Trade Option 2

New Jersey Devils acquire:

• Timo Meier

San Jose Sharks acquire:

• Miles Wood
• Erik Haula
• Aarne Talvite
• 2023 3rd Round Pick

A slightly different trade option is if the San Jose Sharks don’t want to retain any of Meier’s salary. The Sharks will have to take back a bit more term on their end due to NHL cap constrictions, which they really want to do. Getting a prospect like Talvite would maybe make it up to them.

This is probably the most unlikely of the three trades. The Sharks should be more inclined to cover part of Meier’s cap hit for more picks and prospects in return.

Trade Option 3

New Jersey Devils acquire:

• Timo Meier (50% Contract Retained)
• James Reimer

San Jose Sharks acquire:

• Brendan Smith
• Miles Wood
• 2023 1st Round Pick
• (50% Contract Retained)

With Mackenzie Blackwood out with an unknown injury for an unknown amount of time, the Devils could use extra goaltending for a run. James Reimer could fill that void as an above-replace-level goaltender. The Sharks probably wouldn’t even ask much for Reimer should the Devils inquire about the veteran.