Global Courant
The New Jersey Devils secured another part of last year’s team and re-signed Timo Meier to an eight-year, $70.4 million contract through the 2030-31 NHL season.
General manager Tom Fitzgerald announced the signing of the restricted free agent on Wednesday hours before the start of the league in Nashville, Tennessee.
Timo Meier #96 of the New Jersey Devils warms up ahead of Game Two of the second round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Carolina Hurricanes at the PNC Arena on May 5, 2023 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Josh Lavallee/NHLI via Getty Images)
The contract will pay the 26-year-old Swiss an average of $8.8 million annually, with the deal starting at $12 million this coming season and winding down to $7.2 million over the past year.
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“We were excited to acquire Timo on deadline, but it’s an even greater feeling knowing he’ll be here for the next eight seasons,” said Fitzgerald. “Timo’s unique blend of playing style, scoring ability and physical presence will prove valuable to us.
Timo Meier #96 of the New Jersey Devils celebrates his goal in the first period of Game Three of the second round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Carolina Hurricanes at the Prudential Center on May 7, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey. (Rich Graessle/NHLI via Getty Images)
Fitzgerald had said in recent weeks that the two sides were moving closer to a deal and that it’s a good week for the up-and-coming Devils, who on Tuesday night added Calgary Flames leading scorer Tyler Toffoli in a trade for Yegor Sharangovich and a draft pick.
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Fitzgerald also re-signed center Erik Haula and forward Jesper Bratt, and signed and traded defenseman Damon Severson to Columbus for a draft pick used in the deal for Toffoli.
The Devils made the playoffs for the first time since 2017/18 this past season.
Meier began his career with San Jose in 2016/17 and has just completed his seventh NHL season. He had nine goals and five assists in 21 regular season games with New Jersey, recording a season-high 40 goals and 17 power play goals. He added two goals and two assists in the playoffs, but proved physically present on the ice in series against the Rangers and Hurricanes.
Timo Meier #96 of the New Jersey Devils skates during Game Seven of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the New York Rangers at the Prudential Center on May 1, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey. (Rich Graessle/NHLI via Getty Images)
New Jersey acquired Meier and other fees from the Sharks in exchange for forwards Andreas Johnsson and Fabian Zetterlund, defensemen Shakir Mukhamadullin and Nikita Okhotiuk, and picks.
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Meier has represented Switzerland multiple times and is one of four Swiss players on the Devils-roster with Jonas Siegenthaler, Nico Hischier and goaltender Akira Schmid.
