Meier: 'I Want to Win' | FEATURE

Timo Meier heard the rumors. It was hard not to.
The 26-year-old forward's contract is set to expire at the end of this season. And with his employer for the past seven seasons, the San Jose Sharks, opting not to negotiate an extension, it was obvious Meier's name would end up on the NHL trading market.
"The last couple weeks you see the rumors. There's talk out there," Meier said. "You expect something to happen. New Jersey was always in there (in the rumors). You assume that could be a spot where you're going to."
That is exactly where Meier ended up after Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald acquired the skilled forward as well as a bounty of players in return for prospects and draft picks (
full trade details
).
"You see them play. They're an exciting team to watch," Meier said. "They're a tough team to play against. For me, to get an opportunity to join a team like that with a lot of young guys that are stars in this league and really, really good players, to join them is a good opportunity for me."

Rumors of the trade heated up over the past week. But as teams in the running - Carolina Hurricanes, Winnipeg Jets, Vegas Golden Knights, etc. - started making other deals and dropping out, New Jersey started to look more and more like the final destination.
Following a final day of negotiations Sunday, the two teams announced the final trade details at 9 p.m. ET.
"It's definitely been a crazy day. A lot of emotions," Meier said. "Being (in San Jose) for seven years and having this new chapter coming my way is definitely very exciting. It's a special day. I've heard good things about the New Jersey Devils, not just their team, the organization as well and also their fanbase. I'm excited to get this started."
Meier has 31 goals and 52 points in 57 games this season. He set career highs with 35 goals, 41 assists and 76 points in 77 contests last year. Meier also has 35 games of postseason experience, though the Sharks haven't made the playoffs since 2019.
Meier, who will wear No. 96 with the Devils, is a prototypical power forward. He has a solid base at 6-foot-1, 220 pounds and will play physical. The three-time 30-goal scorer's skill matches his intensity, making him exactly the type of player the Devils were hoping to add.
"He's a big body that can score goals, protect pucks, he can play physical," Fitzgerald said. "It's an addition that, we want to get bigger, but we want talent. We want power forwards. And you have to go out and grab those."
Meier, who was the ninth-overall pick in the 2015 NHL Draft by San Jose, will be walking into a locker room with some familiar faces. The Swiss native has represented his country in international tournaments alongside Devils captain Nico Hischier and defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler.
"Going there and having familiar faces and guys that speak your language and are from your home country makes things a lot easier. They're great guys," said Meier, who has already spoken to both following the acquisition. "We talked on the phone. (Hischier and I are) both really excited. He's told me some good things about New Jersey, same with Jonas. I'm really excited to join these two guys. From what I've heard, it's going to be great."

And perhaps Meier will find himself playing wing alongside his fellow countryman.
"(Hischier is) a very good hockey player. He leads by example on the ice and off the ice," Meier said. "He plays a solid defensive game. He's very skilled defensively. He's got great tools. He's a guy that's super easy to play with. If I play with him there are no adjustments needed to make. He's very adaptable. He keeps getting better. Having the opportunity to be on the same squad as him definitely excites me."
Meier will likely join the club next Tuesday in Colorado as the Devils set out on a three-game road swing. It would be an easier travel than coming all the way to New Jersey Monday just to go back across the country. However, when he makes his Devils debut is still unknown as he's been out of the lineup with an upper-body injury.
"As of right now, it's day-to-day," said Meier, who missed the last three games for the Sharks. "I try to really focus on my health and see how I feel tomorrow. I just go day-to-day. I want to play as soon as I can, but also listen to my body."
Focusing on his health will be one of Meier's top priorities upon joining his new team.
"You have to take care of your body and make sure that you're healthy. I want to be my best self I can be for that team and the organization," said Meier, who has resumed skating. "First thing is first, I have to make sure I'm 100-percent healthy so when I come in I can help them take the next step. That's my goal right now, to get healthy and then get this thing started."
Meier will also work to learn the team's system, meet his new teammates and integrate himself into the locker room. Meier is going from a team that's rebuilding to one that is third overall in the NHL standings.
"I'm a very competitive guy. I want to win. I wanted to win in San Jose," he said. "I hate losing. I'm going to join a team that's been winning more. I'm going to try to help them continue that."