Report: Devils to Begin Contract Talks with Timo Meier This Week

Newark, NJ — General Manager Tom Fitzgerald told NHL.com in an interview that he intends to begin contract talks with Timo Meier this week.

The Devils acquired Meier a week before the 2023 NHL Trade Deadline from the San Jose Sharks. Now, Meier is set to become a restricted free agent on July 1st. The Swiss forward owns a $10 million qualifying offer.

Upon acquisition, Fitzgerald stated that acquiring Meier, despite his pending free agent status, was and still is with the intent to keep the forward long-term.

In his end-of-year conference, the Devils GM stated, “Timo Meier knows that I believe this the right place for Timo and he and his agent and I will talk and go through this and hopefully try to figure something out long term.”

At Devils exit interviews, Meier explained he was willing to talk with New Jersy about a contract extension. Additionally, he spoke to how the off-ice factors are a positive anecdote while weighing his decision.

“The travel? It’s easier here than I had before,” Meier explained. “The practice rink is right here. It’s definitely a really nice setup. And like I said, (New Jersey) has great, great people. Everybody has been treating me so well. So yeah, it’s definitely a great place.”

Later, Fitzgerald reiterated those same sentiments to NHL.com, explaining what will go into the process of signing Meier long-term.

“I want them to understand what New Jersey is, what the organization is, the living — I think New Jersey is a diamond in the rough — the travel, all the positive things. Give him a chance to settle in and go: ‘OK, I hope you want to be here.’ Those are some of the things we’ll go through.”

In 21 games with the Devils, Meier scored nine goals and 14 points. Overall, in the 2022-23 season between the Sharks and the Devils, Meier totaled 40 goals and 66 points. In the postseason, the 26-year-old forward tallied two goals and four points in 11 games.

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