Fitzgerald Bet on Devils, and Won with Meier | FEATURE

As the 2023 NHL trading deadline loomed closer, the Devils and San Jose Sharks were working on the final touches on a transaction that would bring forward Timo Meier to New Jersey. But before the deal was made, the Devils were given an opportunity to negotiate with Meier on a contract extension.

Meier was set to become a restricted free agent in the summer and trading a lump sum of assets to acquire him came with the risk of the Swiss sniper not re-signing with New Jersey.

"We were probably the only team given permission to try to work out a deal with Timo before the trade deadline," Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald said. "We couldn't do that, but ownership was very comfortable, exactly what I've been saying, let's sell Timo Meier on what we are, who we are, what we can offer and playing on a really good team with really good young players. So, we made that deal anyways."

The Devils let their organization speak for itself. They let Meier get a taste of life as a New Jersey citizen and Devil. And the stratagem worked.

On Wednesday afternoon, the Devils announced that Meier had agreed to terms on an eight-year contract with an $8.8 million average annual value (AAV).

"I bet on New Jersey. I bet on what we have to offer players," Fitzgerald said. "I bet on the facility. I bet on the limited time traveling. I bet on the suburbs and Jersey City and Hoboken. And I bet on our team. I felt coming in and experiencing this, we're showing people around the league that we're now a destination for players.

"I hedged a bet on us. I hedged a bet on what we can offer players, and we won."

Meier is the latest in a long list of players who have inked seven-plus year deals with the Devils, including Nico Hischier, Jack Hughes, Jesper Bratt and Dougie Hamilton. Even Erik Haula made it clear that after just one season with the Devils he wanted to return, and return he did by signing a three-year contract last week.

"I want people who want to be here. Starting with Nico, Jack, now Jesper, Timo. Erik Haula," Fitzgerald said. "Test drive us. You'll understand what we are and what we can offer."

The Devils' window has opened on their championship aspirations. And a lot of credit can be shared from the top (ownership) to management to the coaches. But ultimately, it still all comes down to the players on the ice and in the locker room.

"I have to give credit to the players," Fitzgerald said. "To our core players that continue to lift us up and show the rest of the league that we are serious about putting a championship-type roster on the ice."

The Devils players have put in the work and made a commitment that resulted in their finishing with the third-best record in the entire NHL and a second-round finish appearance the playoffs after eliminating heated rival New York Rangers in the First Round last year.

"People build cultures. People are the ones who set the standards and expectations in that locker room," Fitzgerald said. "I'm a big proponent of what you permit is what you promote. If you permit mediocrity, you're promoting it. If you permit excellence, you're promoting it. If you permit getting on the ice early or late, then you're promoting it. The players, it's their locker room. I can say this stuff but they've got to carry it out and they've got to believe in it. The culture is only getting stronger, I can tell you that."

The Devils have built that culture. And that's why they've become a place where players want to go, and want to stay. Meier just becomes the latest addition on that mantle.

"When we made that trade (for Meier) back in March, it wasn't about March to the season's end," Fitzgerald said. "It was about securing the future with Timo Meier. And we did that today."

Fitzgerald wagered on the Devils, and the he hit the jackpot.