SJ accepts and I agree. There will (and should) be a bidding war for Meier who'll have an extension in place and it'll cost either CAR Jarvis or NJD Mercer plus whichever team's late first to make it happen.

Sooner fans/GMs realize this, sooner there'll be a deal struck. Or else SJ just keeps Meier or sends him to TOR for Niemela and their late 1st.

Can the Canes really make Meier work long-term at 8.5?
They have Aho and TERÄVÄINEN extensions coming soon, not to mention a few other UFAs, and goalies to renew or sign new ones.

Canes will likely let Teravainen and at least one of Skjei/Pesce walk after 2024, with Nikishin and Morrow succeeding on defense and some combo of Gunler/Suzuki succeeding Teravainen. They absolutely have room for Meier.

I feel like Meier ends up in NJ anyways, he likely would like to play with his fellow countryman in Heisher, plus he fits better long term there better I think.

Getting Mercer would be a huge for the Sharks, that would be a major piece of their rebuild or retool what ever you want to call it.

I agree with you about the Canes and Devils...because they have cap next season. The Leafs and really all other contenders don't have cap without dismantling their team next season. IMO Meier is more of a rental for most teams because of his high QO and contract
Canes might be best option, Meier gets a 2.5m raise, but the Canes have 6m Staal off the books.

Canes cannot afford an 8.5 mil extension. They will not pay Jarvis for a rental either. They cannot qualify Meier at 10 mil

So basically you would take Meier over Teravainen. Honestly probably not a bad swap, you get a couple of years younger, more physical, and keep all the goals the Teravainen provided.

They almost paid $9.5M per for Tkachuk...$8.5M per for Meier is affordable if Turbo walks.

I don't think the QO matters that much. Any team trading for him is going to be allowed to talk to him before the trade they confirmed this on Sportsnet and will have a road for an extension in place. there is no team trading for him that will have to use the QO they would sign him long term.

That's the issue for the Leafs and so many other contenders. They really don't have the space next year for Meier. Leafs don't have really any big contracts off the books, and they would like resign UFA Bunting, Kampf, maybe Engvall and Holl, and have RFAs Holmberg, Timmins and Samsonov. Plus everyone assumes that 5.6m isn't returning.

Fully agree with this. Mercer + a late 2023 1st is the price I think is fair and still prudent for both teams for a Meier deal.

Certainly makes TOR a more difficult trade destination for Meier than NJD (even CAR which would have its own difficulties).

Kinda strange,,,,although it would advantage "on the ice" for teams to make a deal for Meier before March 2023, his trade value might be just as high next season when teams know the cap situation and what Meier contract is next season.

Lol what? "NJ and CAR have to give an elite young player and a first otherwise we send him to Toronto for a B prospect and a late first" ?

Sharangovich, Holtz, 1st

Unless they take him purely as a rental then trade his RFA rights. Even then that smells a little desperate in my mind.
The leafs are in a wild spot right now, they haven't won playoff rounds, Their GM is in a contract year.
Not to mention if they don't get a deep run and get Matthews exertion done this summer he has full NMC next year, and I wouldn't be surprised if he walks.

I have seen and heard some talks already that teams are watching closely and will be ready to make him offers. Kings have Kopitar and his $10M coming off the books the same off season, I could see a situation with the way things are going in LA where Mathews walks in there at 13-14 per and fits in very well with the lifestyle in LA, close to home for him, and he would fit in well with the team.

I think the Sharks would want Mercer still, but Sharangovich and holtz would also be a great deal for the sharks.
Hotlz would line up great with Hertl as his C.

Yeah fairly easily. Could let Turbo walk. Really it’s Aho raise, Necas raise and keeping Slavin Pesce. Staal money coming down and already have Koochie signed long term plus cap bump over next few years. Now keeping Jarvis is important to have the flexibility to do moves like this which is why it’s very unlikely they move him. Drury or Morrow could be in the offer but if that’s not enough than he goes somewhere else.

Morrow and Drury plus the first and some add ins are the best Canes will do. If it gets beat or isn’t enough deal won’t get done. Jarvis is too important with what he’s show and his ELC / cost control.

They very easily could do an 8.5 extension. Have plenty of flexibility. Sure it might mean not bringing back somebody like turbo in the worst case but that’s likely workable if they wanted to keep him.

Holtz is also friends and former teammates with Sharks top prospect William Eklund

Him signing an extension with his new team does not change his trade value. I find it very unlikely that Carolina would include Jarvis. Scott Morrow or Aleksi Heimosalmi are probably more likely to be available

In that case, Meier just resigns with SJ. Sharks aren't selling if there isn't a higher quality and/or more NHL-ready young player like Mercer or Jarvis coming back.

Somehow I doubt that. There will be a bidding war but if you think you are getting a a 21 and under .5ppg NHL regular included you are in dream land. Meier should get somewhere around the half way point in value between Fiala and DeBrincat

Agree with you. It's a different trade selling RFA rights to a 9m QO player.
Now I don't think the Leafs are in bad spot. I've been saying for years that Matthews is gonna leave as UFA, and the spot for him is big USA market....LA as you suggest Nylander, Murray, Brodie (Muzzin) are all UFAs. The Job of the next GM is to spend the cap wisely. A big decision will be next at the 2024 TDL. Would the Leafs who are still legit Cup contenders....trade Matthew and Nylander for picks/prospects, "give up" on a true 2024 Cup run, and start with lots of cap and new prospects in the summer of 2024?