The Timo Meier saga is nearing its end.
Sportsnet's Eillotte Friedman reported on Hockey Night in Canada's 32 Thoughts segment that a trade for the San Jose Sharks forward is getting close and is down to a final few teams.
"San Jose has done a really nice job here of getting all the teams to up their prices and up their offers," Friedman said. "Now, I do think some of the teams are starting to fall by wayside and some of the some of the contenders still remaining – including New Jersey, Carolina and Vegas I think potentially – have said, 'Look, we want to get an answer here.'"
Although Friedman admitted things can change quickly as teams near the Friday trade deadline, he also thinks that the Hurricanes are now a less likely destination for Meier.
"New Jersey I still think is very much in this," Friedman said. "I hesitate to say these things because anything can change quickly at this time of year, but as we do this on Saturday night, it doesn't sound like Carolina is as likely."
Friedman also doesn't think it's likely that Meier will sign an extension after he is dealt to a new team.
"There were some teams that wanted to acquire Meier with an extension, I don't think that's as likely now," Friedman explained. "I think we might see a situation where the team acquires him will be willing to go without it for the time being."
Meier, who has been in trade rumours for weeks, is second on the rebuilding Sharks in scoring this season, with 52 points (31 goals, 21 assists) in 57 games.
“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.”
The Sharks are second last in the Pacific Division with a record of 18-30-11.
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.