The New Jersey Devils have acquired scoring forward Timo Meier from the San Jose Sharks according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.
The Swiss-born Meier was second on the rebuilding Sharks in scoring this season, with 52 points (31 goals, 21 assists) in 57 games.
Picked ninth overall in the 2015 NHL Draft by the Sharks, Meier has 154 goals and 162 assists for 316 points in 451 career games with San Jose.
Listed at 6-foot-1 and 220 pounds, Meier uses his solid frame to hold off defenders in front of the net and along the boards.
“What separates Meier from prototypical power forwards is his mobility,” wrote Sportsnet analyst Adam Vingan. “Meier … is at his best when pushing the pace. When Meier is on the ice, high-event hockey is the norm.”
Meier, 26, will be a restricted free agent this off-season after his four-year, $24-million deal expires. A unique wrinkle to his contract is although his cap hit is $6 million for this season, he is being paid $10 million and he is owed a $10-million qualifying offer after this season.
“Timo’s a unique player,” Sharks GM Mike Grier told reporters last month. “I think (if) you’re starting a team from scratch, and you’ve got a chance to grab someone like Timo, you’re going to take him and put him on your wing and forget about him for the next 10 years. He’s big. He’s fast. He can score.”
