With the gigantic qualifying offer due to him at the end of the season, some teams may view and pursue him as a pending UFA instead of an RFA. If he’s to be considered an RFA, his starting value on the market is considerably less than the Alex DeBrincat deal last summer.

His contract status could also affect whatever return the Sharks might hope to get for him. Interested parties could prove reluctant to pay a big price for a talented winger like Meier if they're to face an arbitration hearing next summer for a player who could depart in a year's time via free agency.

What can they get in return? I think they have to take a notch below the Alex DeBrincat deal that the Chicago Blackhawks took this summer. Not only was DeBrincat’s qualifying offer less, but you had one more season of DeBrincat on a somewhat reasonable deal, whereas already from the jump, you’re getting Meier as a rental. The Blackhawks were able to get a first-, second-, and third-round pick, but you see No. 7 overall from Ottawa as pretty high up in the draft. you’re probably dealing with teams that are way later in the first round, probably closer to the second-round pick they got from the Sens at No. 39 overall. Then you factor in what happens next, which is that maybe somebody treats him as a pure rental, but then the prices are probably even lower than that. I think it’s an easy warning shot that the Sharks are probably in a really tough spot trying to deal Timo Meier as we move closer to the March 3 trade deadline.”

Some of us are old enough to remember Devils fans saying they wouldn't trade Kuokkanen for Meier.

Some of us are old enough to remember Devils fans saying they wouldn't trade Kuokkanen for Meier.

LMAO I'm guilty of such a take.
Probably one of the worst ones I've ever made about anything ever.

LMAO I'm guilty of such a take.
Probably one of the worst ones I've ever made about anything ever.