New Jersey Devils
In Jack Hughes’ Absence, Timo Meier Must Drive Devils
Like it or not, Timo Meier is the forward to fill the void left by Jack Hughes for the Devils.
The New Jersey Devils can search externally all they want to fill the void that will be left by Jack Hughes. And although it’s necessary that the Devils add before or at the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline, the answer they’re looking for is internal. Timo Meier must finally break through and drive the Devils in Jack Hughes’ absence.
Devils Trade Targets: 4 Centers to Fill Potential Jack Hughes Void
At this point, you’re probably asking yourself how that could be true. Jesper Bratt (68) is the Devils’ next leading point collector after Jack Hughes (70) who ranks first. In fact, Nico Hischier (47) and Dougie Hamilton (40) rank ahead of Meier in total points, with the 28-year-old forward in fifth with 39 points in 61 games this season.
The truth of the matter is, Meier’s point total should be a lot higher than it actually is. Contrary to popular belief, he’s been more unlucky than he has been good.
Meier’s two-way game has certainly developed, and he’s been a hound on the forecheck while helping retrieve pucks in his own end of the ice.
Yet, Meier scored his first goal in nine games on Saturday against the Utah Hockey Club en route to the Devils’ 3-1 victory. Before that, the Swiss forward had just one goal in his previous 18 games.
However, when Meier is on the ice, he constantly looks like he’s a threat, and not just in the offensive zone.
Zooming the lens in, the analytics support Meier has been strong. He ranks third on the Devils with a 53.52 CF%, first with a 56.48 xGF%, and second with 496 scoring chances, all at 5-on-5.
On a micro-level, Meier’s numbers look even stronger.
He ranks ahead of Hughes, first overall with a 310 individual Corsi-for (iCF), first with 16.17 individual expected goals (ixG), and second with 156 individual scoring chances (iSCF), just a single chance behind Hughes.
*Analytics via Natural Stat Trick
In other words, he may not be reaping the benefits on the scoresheet, but Meier has been the Devils’ best play-driver and chance creator, neck and neck with Hughes.
We’ve seen this before from Meier. It’s part of the reason Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald went out and acquired the Swiss forward from the San Jose Sharks two deadlines ago.
In San Jose, Meier was the guy. He drove play and created the scoring chances for the surrounding team. And as a result, Meier put together multiple 30-plus goal seasons, and a 40-goal campaign in 2022-23.
With Hughes sidelined, and we’ll see for how long, the offense now needs to run through Meier. His 9.1 shooting percentage to this point is uncharacteristically low, as his career average is 10.7%. And in the last three seasons, Meier’s shooting percentage is an average of 12%.
The increased opportunities should bode well for Meier, who is a volume shooter, an elite skater, and play-driver that can elevate his linemates.
Putting him on the first-unit power play should help, too, where he can catch some momentum and carry it into his even strength play.
The bottom line is Meier is now the Devils’ best play-driver and chance creator, and an elite one at that. The Devils’ highest-paid forward needs to be deployed as such, and the results should follow.
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