Sharks shouldn't lower price for Meier
As Sharks general manager Mike Grier checks the trade winds, another potential suitor for Timo Meier has blown away.
The Toronto Maple Leafs filled the void in their forward group last week, acquiring Ryan O'Reilly and Noel Acciari from St. Louis in a three-team trade that saw the Leafs part with their 2023 first-round draft pick.
The Leafs reportedly were wary of the asking price for Meier — thought to be at a minimum a 2023 first-rounder, plus a top prospect, plus whatever else gets a deal across the finish line if multiple bidders are involved. Instead, Toronto GM Kyle Dubas parted with four draft picks, including his 2023 third-round pick, a 2024 second-rounder, and two players presently in the AHL, one with upside.
The New York Rangers also reportedly had an interest in Meier and also thought the price tag was too steep. The Rangers went ahead and acquired forward Vladimir Tarasenko from the Blues for a conditional first-round pick this year, a conditional fourthrounder next year, and two players, including winger Sammy Blais.
And that's OK.
Just because two potential suitors for Meier found other ways to address their needs, it doesn't mean Grier should start to think about lowering his price. (Incidentally, Meier is questionable for today's game because of an upper-body injury.)
The March 3 trade deadline is less than two weeks away and assuming Meier is feeling better soon, finding the right return for the power forward is crucial to the Sharks' future. They don't have many face cards left in their hand.
Looking back to the Brent Burns trade last July, the Sharks probably didn't get enough in return from the Carolina Hurricanes.
Steven Lorentz remains a reliable fourth-line center and penalty killer, and Eetu Makiniemi might evolve into a full-time NHL goalie. Maybe. Perhaps the 2023 conditional third-round pick the Sharks acquired can be used on a player who might contribute down the road, or be used as capital to move up at the draft or acquire another player.
But Burns, who turns 38 on March 9, leads all Carolina skaters in ice time, remains a top penalty killer, and is on pace for about a 60-point season. All for a bargain price of $5.28 million this season and the next two, with the Sharks retaining 34% of the average annual value of the Burns deal.
That trade — from the Sharks' perspective — would look a little better if another Hurricanes prospect was involved.
But what's done is done, and Meier, with 31 goals and 52 points in 56 games, now stands as the Sharks' most valuable, tradable asset.
The two leading suitors are reportedly New Jersey and Carolina. Meier, a pending restricted free agent, is owed a $10 million qualifying offer if he and the Sharks or another cannot come to an agreement on a long-term contract. As of last week, the Sharks had not yet given permission to other teams to start negotiating a long-term pact.
Per Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli, Carolina would be OK with moving forward on a Meier deal even without an extension in place. Per ESPN, though, New Jersey would not complete a trade for Meier without contract talks beforehand.
The Sharks also have the option of keeping Meier past the trade deadline if they do not get an offer they love.