BREAKING: Devils Extend Timo Meier to Eight-Year, $70.4 Million Extension

Newark, NJ – The New Jersey Devils & Timo Meier have agreed to terms on an eight-year, $70.4 million extension.

“We were excited to acquire Timo at the deadline, but it’s an even greater feeling knowing that he’ll be here for the next eight seasons,” said general manager Tom Fitzgerald. “Timo’s unique blend of style of play, goal-scoring ability, and physical presence will prove valuable for us. In talking with him, Timo realized, and I always believed, that this is the right place for him as a player and a person. We’ve locked up another piece of our young core that is looking to take that next step together for greater success.”

Meier’s contract will pay him an average annual value of $8.8 million. The 26-year-old’s new deal will carry him through to his age-34 season. Meier owns a full no-move clause in years 2-5 and a 15-team no-trade, no-move clause in years 6-8.

There was speculation that Fitzgerlad is working within a salary hierarchy. Before Meier’s extension, Jack Hughes’ $8 million AAV was the highest among all forwards including Jesper Bratt who’s signed to a $7.875 million AAV over eight seasons. Meier’s new contract debunks that narrative.

The Devils acquired Meier a week before the 2023 NHL Trade Deadline from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for Fabian Zetterlund, Andreas Johnsson, defensemen Shakir Mukhamadullin and Nikita Okhotiuk, a conditional first-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, and a second – and seventh-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. The Devils also received Scott Harrington,  Santeri Hatakka, goaltender Zachary Emond, and a fifth-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft.

In 21 games with New Jersey, Meier scored nine goals and 14 points. During the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Meier tallied two goals and four points in 11 Stanley Cup Playoff games. In the 2022-23 regular season between the Sharks and Devils, Meier scored 40 goals and 66 points in 78 games.

Meier was a first-round selection, ninth overall by the Sharks in the 2015 NHL Draft. In 472 career games, Meier has totaled 163 goals and 167 assists for 330 points. Meier served as an All-Star for the Sharks in the 2021-22 season. He also helped Team Switzerland claim a silver medal at the 2018 IIHF World Championships.

Now that Meier is under contract, New Jersey has $10,207,500 in cap space to work with. The remaining restricted free agents include Jesper Boqvist, Michael McLeod, Nathan Bastian, and Kevin Bahl. The Devils also have pending unrestricted free agents in Tomas Tatar and Ryan Graves, although they’re unlikely to return.

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