Forward Timo Meier is looking to stick with the New Jersey Devils for the long term.
The Devils have filed for arbitration with the pending restricted free agent, however, general manager Tom Fitzgerald joined The Jeff Marek Show on Friday and said he has "zero intentions" of signing Meier to a one-year contract.
Fitzgerald explained that it's bought them time as the two sides are pursuing an eight-year extension.
"Timo and I spoke yesterday," Fitzgerald said. "I'm very transparent with my players, I'm very upfront and I called him personally. I said, 'This is part of the process for us but our goal is to do something quicker.' If we can do something ASAP, I'm all in. I am all in but really what it does is it gives us time."
Fitzgerald added: "Timo knows. He knows that we want him. We definitely want him here for eight years and I also know Timo wants to be here for eight years."
The 26-year-old Meier posted nine goals and five assists in 21 games with the Devils during the regular season after being acquired from the San Jose Sharks on Feb. 26.
He also added two goals and two assists in 11 playoff games as New Jersey made it to the second round before losing to the Carolina Hurricanes in five games.
Meier, who was drafted ninth overall by the Sharks in 2015, has 330 points (163 goals and 167 assists) in 472 games over seven seasons with San Jose and New Jersey.
New Jersey just signed fellow forward Jesper Bratt to an eight-year, $63-million contract extension on Thursday.
COMMENTS
When submitting content, please abide by our submission guidelines, and avoid posting profanity, personal attacks or harassment. Should you violate our submissions guidelines, we reserve the right to remove your comments and block your account. Sportsnet reserves the right to close a story’s comment section at any time.