MAJOR: Devils Head Coach Benches Nine-Million Dollar Star
On February 26, 2023, the New Jersey Devils acquired star San Jose Sharks forward Timo Meier, who was a UFA at years end. In the off season, New Jersey and the Meier camp came to a contract agreement of $70.4 million over eight year. Making him the highest paid Devils forward.
Meier's Season so far
The three NHL games this season, Meier has no points, four shots, four hits, and six penalty minutes. His time on ice in the first two games was 16:57 and 17:30. In the third game, against Florida, it was 11:26. Many due to taking two careless penalties and getting benched by Head Coach Lindy Ruff.
It is surprising to see his totals so low, considering he had five points in three preseason games, and really seemed to be meshing well with his line mates Nico Hischer and Alex Holtz. Once the season started Coach Ruff changed the top line to Meier-Hischer-Mercer, which may have thrown all the chemistry off.
The Meier Trade
Timo Meier, along with Scott Harrington, prospects Timur Ibragimov, Santeri Hatakka, and Zach Emond were acquired by the Devils. In return, the San Jose Sharks obtained a 2023 first-round pick, a conditional 2024 first-round pick, Andreas Johnsson, Fabian Zetterlund, and prospects Shakir Mukhamadullin and Okhotiuk.
Meier scored 14 points in 21 games after being acquired, nine of those being goals. He only managed four points in 11 games during the 2022–23 playoffs, even though the Devils advanced to the second round, which was slightly disappointing.
| POLL | ||
OCTOBRE 17 | 82 ANSWERS MAJOR: Devils Head Coach Benches Nine-Million Dollar Star Will Meier score over 30 goals in New Jersey? | ||
| Yes | 31 | 37.8 % |
| No | 51 | 62.2 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
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