Updated Landing Spots for Sharks Winger Timo Meier Amid NHL Trade Rumors

The recent trades of Bo Horvat to the New York Islanders and Vladimir Tarasenko to the New York Rangers indicate that business is picking up in the NHL trade market. With the March 3 deadline fast approaching, speculation is growing over the potential destinations for the other notable trade candidates.

Most of the media rumor chatter is focused on Timo Meier. The 26-year-old San Jose Sharks winger sits atop our February NHL Trade Block Big Board. A skillful scoring forward, he enjoyed a career-best 76 points in 2021-22. He's on pace to reach that total again this season with 30 goals and 51 points in 53 games.

A restricted free agent with arbitration rights on July 1, Meier is also a year away from unrestricted free agent eligibility. His annual average value on his current contract is $6 million but he's earning $10 million in actual salary. That's how much it will cost the Sharks to qualify his rights unless he and the club agree to a new contract by June 30.

With the Sharks mired near the bottom of the NHL standings, they could be poised for a roster rebuild under first-year general manager Mike Grier. A scorer like Meier in his playing prime would fetch a solid return, especially if the acquiring team can sign him to a contract extension as part of the deal.

On Feb. 10, TSN's Chris Johnston reported the Sharks are seeking "three pieces", one of which could be a first-round draft pick. He thinks the secondary pieces must be better than the third-round pick, a prospect defenseman and a veteran winger (Sammy Blais) that the Blues received as part of the return from the Rangers for Tarasenko.

Johnston believes a Meier trade could happen quickly. He said the market for top-six forwards is drying up and whatever team acquires the winger will want time to speak with his agent about a new contract. As the trade rumors buzz, here's our take on the five potential landing spots for Meier.

Do you agree or disagree with our choices? Is there a club that should or shouldn't be on this list? Let us know in the comments sections below.

After finishing last season atop the Pacific Division standings, the Calgary Flames are battling this season for the conference's final wild-card berth. Last summer's departures of Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk depleted their offense, leaving them in danger of missing the postseason.

In a Feb. 7 interview with NHL.com's Aaron Vickers, Flames general manager Brad Treliving said he'd like to add a forward. While he said that could come internally, call-up forward Jakob Pelletier has yet to dent the scoresheet.

The Flames need an established scorer like Timo Meier. He could help offseason acquisition Jonathan Huberdeau regain his missing offensive spark. Meier also wouldn't be a rental player if Treliving can re-sign him, though doing so would mean shedding salary. The Flames only have $1 million in projected cap space for next season.

With $4.4 million in projected deadline cap space, the Flames can afford to squeeze in the remainder of Meier's cap hit but would likely get the Sharks to retain part of it. They could bundle up Pelletier with a first-round pick along with a prospect such as forward Connor Zary or goaltender Dustin Wolf in a package offer to San Jose.

Losing Max Pacioretty to a torn Achilles leaves the Carolina Hurricanes in need of a top-six forward. They have a greater need for a reliable second-line center but could opt for a scoring winger such as Timo Meier if a suitable center isn't available in the trade market.

On Feb. 9, TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported the Hurricanes were among the teams that remain "very interested" in Meier. Given the winger's current value in the trade market, Hurricanes general manager Don Waddell might have to act quickly to avoid another club snapping him up first.

Meier could slot in on either wing on the Hurricanes' top-two forward lines, perhaps allowing them to try Martin Necas as their second-line center. With Pacioretty on long-term injury reserve, they have a projected $10.1 million in deadline cap space. Still, they could ask the Sharks to retain a portion of Meier's cap hit to ensure sufficient space for other moves.

Waddell could be reluctant to part with a first-rounder, but it may be necessary to add a player like Meier who could push them into Stanley Cup contention. The Sharks could seek a prospect such as defenseman Scott Morrow or center Jack Drury as well as an additional draft pick if the Hurricanes GM prefers not to move a roster player.

Entering this season with hopes of playoff contention following several seasons of rebuilding, the Detroit Red Wings are in danger of missing the postseason for the seventh straight year. Acquiring Timo Meier would provide them with help for this season as well as for the future if they can sign him to a contract extension.

Oft-injured Tyler Bertuzzi is slated to become an unrestricted free agent in July. Meier would not only replace the 27-year-old winger but would be an upgrade given his consistency and good health for most of his career. He'd be a good fit on the first line alongside center Dylan Larkin and sophomore winger Lucas Raymond.

With a projected $28.9 million in deadline cap space, the Wings can afford Meier's cap hit. Still, general manager Steve Yzerman could ask the Sharks to retain part of it. With $41.6 million in cap space for 2023-24, Yzerman can re-sign Meier as well as pending UFA Larkin, leaving sufficient space to re-sign or replace their remaining free agents.

Yzerman could offer up a conditional first-round pick as well as one of his two 2023 second-round picks. He could bundle struggling winger Jakub Vrana ($4.1 million cap hit through 2023-24) into the deal if the Sharks won't retain any of Meier's salary. Promising Jonathan Berggren or prospect defenseman William Wallinder could also be part of the offer.

After nearly three seasons of rebuilding under general manager Tom Fitzgerald, the New Jersey Devils emerged this season as a legitimate playoff contender. On Jan. 27, Fitzgerald told The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun that he'd ideally like to add a top-six winger who could be part of his roster beyond this season.

Fitzgerald didn't say which winger he'd like to add but LeBrun felt Timo Meier would be a perfect fit. The Sharks winger has established himself as a reliable 30-goal, 70-point producer. Capable of skating on either wing, he could play alongside first-line center Jack Hughes or with second-line center and fellow Swiss native Nico Hischier.

The Devils can draw upon a deep pool of promising talent to offer up as trade bait to the Sharks. That could make it easier for Fitzgerald to part with a first-round pick. He could offer up a young roster player such as forward Alexander Holtz as well as a prospect defenseman like Seamus Casey or Shakir Mukhamadullin.

With $2.04 million in deadline cap space, the Devils could ask the Sharks to retain part of the remainder of Meier's $6 million cap hit. With $36.6 million in projected cap room for 2023-24, they have sufficient space to re-sign him. However, it could complicate efforts to re-sign RFAs such as Jesper Bratt, Yegor Sherangovich and goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood.

After missing the playoffs last season, the Winnipeg Jets bounced back to sit third overall in the Western Conference. That could prompt general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff to pursue Timo Meier to improve his club's chances for a Stanley Cup run this spring.

This could be a crucial season for the Jets. Long-time stars Connor Hellebuyck, Blake Wheeler and Mark Scheifele are eligible for unrestricted free-agent status in July 2024. Pierre-Luc Dubois is a restricted free agent this summer and is also a year away from UFA eligibility. It could be their best chance with this current group to chase a Stanley Cup.

Acquiring Meier could help convince Dubois to stick around long-term if they should mesh well on the same line. The Sharks winger would also be a perfect replacement for the 36-year-old Wheeler, as he's unlikely to be re-signed by the Jets when his contract expires.

The Jets have $9.1 million in projected trade deadline cap space but Cheveldayoff could ask the Sharks to retain part of Meier's remaining cap hit. They have a deep prospect pool to draw upon for trade bait. Perhaps an offer of a first-rounder, young defenseman Ville Heinola and a prospect such as Rutger McGroarty or Brad Lambert might tempt the Sharks.

Stats (as of Feb. 10, 2023) via NHL.com. Salary info and line combinations via Cap Friendly with prospect info via The Athletic.