Krepps: Golden Knights Likely Don’t Have Enough to Fetch Timo Meier

The other day we gave our opinions on the approaching NHL trade deadline and how, despite what some people will tell you, there are really no big names worth trading for this season. However we did mention that there is one name we like, and that is Timo Meier of the San Jose Sharks.

Meier is a 26-year-old dynamic scoring winger who has 52 points in 57 games this season with the Sharks. He is coming to the end of his $6 million AAV contract and will be a restricted free agent in the summer, meaning whichever team trades for him will likely re-sign him.

With such a nice resume, the Sharks will want a big return for Meier. Based on the recent NHL trades for forwards, the market price is high.

The Islanders traded Anthony Beauvillier (roster player), Aatu Raty (prospect), and a conditional 2023 first-round pick for Horvat. The Rangers traded Sammy Blais (roster player), Hunter Skinner (prospect), a conditional 2023 first-round pick, and a conditional 2024 fourth-round pick, for Tarasenko and Mikkola.

The Maple Leafs traded Adam Gaudette (AHL player), Mikhail Abramov (prospect), a 2023 first-round pick, a 2023 third-round pick, a 2024 second-round pick, and a 2025 fourth-round pick to get O'Reilly, Noel Acciari, and the Wild to retain some of O'Reilly's salary.

So for Meier, a player who you can argue is better than all of these players, the price tag should be even higher.

The Golden Knights have some options for trade bait, such as their own first-round pick in the next three drafts and prospects like Brendan Brisson, Zach Dean, and Lukas Cormier. They have also made a couple of moves that seem to be precursor moves to something bigger such as the Shea Weber trade.

But the St. Louis Blues, New Jersey Devils, Carolina Hurricanes, and Winnipeg Jets all of who are believed to be interested in Meier, all have better trade and far better prospect pools in our opinion. For instance, the Blues now have three first-round picks in the upcoming draft with their recent trades.

It would be a challenge for the Golden Knights to out-bid these teams for Meier and there likely would be a tax given that the Sharks and Golden Knights are in the same division. So now you are talking about multiple picks and prospects going to the Sharks.

Finally, while the cap space is there right now with Mark Stone on LTIR, it won't be as soon as the Golden Knights would have to hypothetically resign Meier in the offseason. With Meier on pace for another 70+ point season he'll want a significant raise and the VGK, who have a projected $2-3 million in available cap for next season, likely won't be able to give him one unless other pieces are moved out.

So while Meier is an intriguing name on the trade market, the Golden Knights will have to pay a hefty price to not only acquire him, but to keep him. With the team right now looking like Stanley Cup pretenders who will sneak into the playoffs, it doesn't seem wise for us for the VGK to trade for Timo Meier.