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The flying Appenzeller: Arizona defender Juuso Valimäki tries to stop Swiss Sharks star Timo Meier.
Stephen RothDeputy Head of Ice Hockey
Timo Meier can hardly be stopped. The stunner from Appenzell has already scored 24 goals for the San Jose Sharks at mid-season and is on the verge of smashing his own Swiss goal record from the previous season (35 goals).
The 26-year-old is by far the top scorer for the Californians and number 9 in the league. Only: The Sharks are desolate, have lost 30 of 43 games and will miss the playoffs for the fourth time in a row if no miracle happens. It is already clear that they are among the teams that will lose players by the March 3 transfer deadline.
General manager Mike Grier’s phone will be running hot in the coming weeks, mainly because of Meier. Because every team dreams of a dangerous power striker and the contract of the Swiss expires at the end of the season.
Sharks-GM Grier’s phone will glow
If Meier does not extend his contract early, he will become a “Restricted Free Agent” in the summer. His rights remain with the Sharks, but only if they make him a minimum offer (qualifying offer) of 10 million dollars per season. This corresponds to the salary of the last contract year of the expiring contract.
Of course, Meier would not have to accept this minimum offer, but he could only switch to another club if the Sharks transferred him.
Californians are in a bind. Because with Erik Karlsson (11.5 million per year), Thomas Hertl (8.14), Logan Couture (8) and Marc-Edourd Vlasic (7) they have already tied four long-term earners for the next season little scope to stay under the salary cap (wage ceiling of 83.5 million).
There has long been speculation that the time has come for Grier to initiate a radical reorganization and exchange Meier & Co. for draft rights and young stars. Grier should at least have an open ear for offers.
Millions are waving for Timo Meier one way or another
There will be no shortage of interested parties, even if the Sharks will certainly not be fobbed off cheaply and can still make trades in the summer. “The Athletic” leads the Swiss goalgetter behind Bo Horvat (Vancouver), Jacob Chychrun (Arizona) and Patrick Kane (Chicago) as number 4 in the ranking of the hottest trade candidates. The New York Islanders, New Jersey, Detroit, Buffalo and Winnipeg are named as realistic buyers.
That’s how much the Swiss earn in the NHL
- Roman Josi (Nashville).
Contract until 2028 (8 years/72,472). Average salary/year: 9.059 million dollars - Kevin Fiala (Los Angeles).
Contract until 2029 (7 years/55.125 million). 7.875 million - Nico Hischier (New Jersey).
Contract until 2027 (7 years/50.75 million). 7.27 million - Timo Meier (San Jose).
Contract through 2023 (4 years/$24M), $6.0M - Nino Niederreiter (Nashville).
Contract until 2024 (2 years/8 million). 4.0 million - Jonas Siegenthaler (New Jersey).
Contract until 2028* (5 years/17 million). 3.4 million - Pius Suter (Detroit).
Contract until 2023 (2 years/6.5 million). 3.25 million - Tim Berni (Columbus).
Contract until 2023 (3 years/2.775 million) 0.925 million - Janis Moser (Arizona).
Contract until 2024 (3 years/2.775 million). 0.886 million - Philip Kurashev (Chicago).
Contract until 2023 (1 year/750,000). 0.75 million - Denis Malgin (Colorado).
Contract until 2023 (1 year/750,000). 0.75 million
*from 2023/24
- Roman Josi (Nashville).
Contract until 2028 (8 years/72,472). Average salary/year: 9.059 million dollars - Kevin Fiala (Los Angeles).
Contract until 2029 (7 years/55.125 million). 7.875 million - Nico Hischier (New Jersey).
Contract until 2027 (7 years/50.75 million). 7.27 million - Timo Meier (San Jose).
Contract through 2023 (4 years/$24M), $6.0M - Nino Niederreiter (Nashville).
Contract until 2024 (2 years/8 million). 4.0 million - Jonas Siegenthaler (New Jersey).
Contract until 2028* (5 years/17 million). 3.4 million - Pius Suter (Detroit).
Contract until 2023 (2 years/6.5 million). 3.25 million - Tim Berni (Columbus).
Contract until 2023 (3 years/2.775 million) 0.925 million - Janis Moser (Arizona).
Contract until 2024 (3 years/2.775 million). 0.886 million - Philip Kurashev (Chicago).
Contract until 2023 (1 year/750,000). 0.75 million - Denis Malgin (Colorado).
Contract until 2023 (1 year/750,000). 0.75 million
*from 2023/24
Meier doesn’t need to worry. Whether at San Jose or elsewhere: He will either sign a long-term contract in the size of Roman Josi (72 million for 8 years) or play next season for 10 million dollars and then in the summer of 2024 “Unrestricted Free Agent”, with which he can choose the best offer on the open market.
Out of frustration at punishment: Ouch! NHL star slams teammate Stock in the face(00:47)
Training, Broadway and Apartment: Nino Niederreiter shows his new home in Nashville(05:09)
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