The San Jose Sharks traded forward Timo Meyer to the New Jersey Devils.
Along with Meyer, San Jose sent forward Timur Ibragimov, defensemen Scott Harrington and Santeri Hatakka, goaltender Zachary Emond and a 2023 fifth-round pick to New Jersey. As part of the deal, the Sharks also retain 50% of Meyer’s $6 million cap.
In return, the Sharks received a 2023 first-round pick, a 2024 conditional first-round pick, forwards Andreas Jonsson and Fabian Zetterlund, and defensemen Shakir Mukhamadullin and Nikita Okhotyuk.
Meyer was the loudest player on the market this season, and the Devils won the lottery to get him. Meyer, 26, is a real star and has scored 31 goals and 21 assists in 57 games played this season. With Meyer on the ice in five-on-five situations, the Sharks controlled a staggering 57.84% of expected goals. according to Natural Stat Trick.
In his seventh season in the NHL, Meyer had 154 goals and 162 assists in 451 career games. Meyer passed the 30-goal mark in three of those seasons, and he has scored at least 20 goals on five separate occasions.
Meyer should fit right in with New Jersey’s talented young forwards, and it wouldn’t be surprising to find him on the wing with Swiss compatriot Nico Hishir.
Meyer is nearing the final year of his current contract and will receive a big raise as a restricted free agent this offseason. The Devils will likely push for Meyer to re-sign, but no contract extension has been announced at this time.
Zetterlund, 23, is having a solid rookie season with six goals and 14 assists in 45 games. A former third-round draft pick could provide the Sharks with quality offensive depth for years to come.
Mukhamadullin was selected 20th overall in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft and has six goals and 19 assists for Salavat Yulaev Ufa in the 2022/23 season. Okhotyuk, 22, was selected 61st overall in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, with two goals and four assists in 20 games for the AHL’s Utica Comets.
With this trade, the Sharks now have four first-round picks combined into their next two drafts as they try to replenish their pool of leads and plan for the future.
Source: www.cbssports.com
