The New Jersey Devils are looking to build off their strong start to the 2022-23 NHL season and add some more talent at the trade deadline. With the Devils looking like serious contenders in the Eastern Conference, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman said on his “32 Thoughts” podcast that he expects the team to be in the market for some big names at the trade deadline. Friedman linked the Devils with Vancouver Canucks star Bo Horvat and San Jose Sharks forward Timo Meier, both of whom have been frequently mentioned in NHL rumors throughout the year.
In regards to the likelihood of either ending up with the Devils, Friedman indicated it was “more likely” for Meier to wind up in New Jersey, citing his Swiss nationality as a potential boost for the Devils, who roster Jonas Siegenthaler and Nico Hischier.
Both the Vancouver Canucks and San Jose Sharks are in rebuilding years and could very well look to offload their star forwards for some future assets. Horvat is in the final year of his contract in Vancouver and doesn’t figure to extend his stay with the team given their lack of cap space.
Meier is also in the final year of his deal, and with the Sharks among the worst teams in the West this year, his future with the organization could be nearing its end.
Both Horvat and Meier rank in the top 15 of the NHL’s goalscorers this season. Across 46 games, Horvat has scored 30 goals, which ranks sixth in the league. Meier is hot on his heels with 27 goals, 12th in all of hockey.
Either one would be a stellar addition for the Devils and vastly improve their chances of making a deep playoff run in 2022-23. There will be plenty of NHL rumors surrounding both star forwards over the coming weeks, with the likelihood of a trade seemingly growing by the day.
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