“Swiss Devils” could become a national curse

Several NHL teams have been trying to find Timo Meier for weeks. After it became clear that the San Jose Sharks would give up the Appenzeller as there was no sign of a long-term contract extension, an auction of sorts took place. Meier was the most wanted man in the league.

The New Jersey Devils got the honors on Sunday night. In addition to the Swiss goal-getter, the Newark team also receives defenseman Scott Harrington, the three minor league players Santeri Hatakka, Timur Ibragimov and Zach Emond, as well as a fifth-round pick for the 2024 draft. San Jose also takes over the half of Meier’s wages until the end of the season, otherwise New Jersey would not have been able to stay below the NHL salary cap.

To do this, the Devils had to forgo their 2023 first-round pick and a 2024 second-round pick that could become a first-round pick if the Devils reach the semifinals with Meier in the next two seasons, a seventh-round pick. choice, Russian defender Schakir Muchamadullin, forward hopeful Fabian Zetterlund, talented defender Nikita Ochotiuk and AHL forward Andreas Johnsson. This allows the Sharks to start a rebuild.

“It sure is exciting”

For Meier, this means the end of a period of uncertainty. “After seven years in San Jose, a new chapter is coming my way and it’s definitely very exciting,” said the 26-year-old. He has heard many good things about the Devils: “Not only about the team, but also about the organization and the fans.”

Devil supporters had been rooting for weeks, hoping General Manager Gerald Fitzgerald could bring in Meier. The euphoria is correspondingly high.

And you can assume that the Devils have received signals that they can agree on a long-term contract with Meier. Like Roman Josi, the power striker should be able to negotiate an annual salary of around CHF 9 million. “He’ll love it here. I think he will enjoy it to the fullest and want to stay here. I bet on it,” Fitzgerald said.

The Devils are number 3 in the league

Although Meier will miss the good life and mild climate of California, he will be able to compete for the Stanley Cup in the playoffs this season just outside New York. While San Jose is one of the weakest teams in the league, the Devils are No. 3 in the league. And they are competing with such a talented team that should be reckoned with in the future. With Jack Hughes and Valais captain Nico Hischier both lined up as number 1, they have a young mid-line of tremendous quality.

In New Jersey Meier meets three other Swiss. Even before Meier arrived, nhl.com had written about the New Swiss Devils when Hischier, defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler and goaltender Akira Schmid were named the top three players in the 7-0 win against Philadelphia.

But what does the mega deal mean for Swiss ice hockey? It is probably a blessing and a curse at the same time: the chance that other Swiss can win the Stanley Cup in the coming years after David Aebischer, Martin Gerber and Mark Streit has increased significantly. And at the same time, you have to keep in mind that the Nati Meier, Hischier, Siegenthaler and Schmid will not often see at the World Cup because the Devils are in the playoffs.

Source : Blick