Timo Meier’s contract has become one of the Devils’ biggest talking points, and New Jersey is now hoping Luke Evangelista can help change that story.
When the Devils signed Meier to an eight-year deal worth just under $9 million per season, it looked like a strong move from then-GM Tom Fitzgerald. Meier had just put up a 40-goal season split between New Jersey and San Jose, and he fit the exact mold the 2022-23 Devils were chasing: a big, physical goal scorer. The price was steep - especially with Meier making more than Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt having taken less - but locking him in long term was the priority.
That optimism hasn’t held up. Meier’s production has fallen in each season since joining the Devils, and last year he finished with 24 goals, his lowest total in New Jersey.
What started as the playful “March Meier” conversation online has turned into a much more frustrating reality. Strip away March, and his overall body of work looks far less dangerous.
New Jersey has already tried to force the issue. Sheldon Keefe spent a lot of time last season working the Meier line with Nico Hischier and Dawson Mercer, using that trio at 5v5 more than any other line on the roster, according to Natural Stat Trick.
The process was there, but the results never really followed. The line put up 15 xGF and 11 xGA, yet still managed only 14 goals for and 20 goals against, a mix of poor finishing and bad luck that left the unit underwater.
Now the Devils are betting on a different kind of solution. Sunny Mehta made his biggest trade since taking over, sending a first- and second-round pick to the Nashville Predators for Luke Evangelista.
On paper, a 24-year-old winger with 56 points doesn’t scream fix for a player like Meier. But Evangelista has already shown he can help unlock scorers. Last season, he made a major difference for Steven Stamkos during Stamkos’ second-half surge.
Together, Evangelista and Stamkos were on the ice for 22 goals in 347 minutes while allowing just 11. Without Evangelista, Stamkos was on the ice for 23 goals in 744 minutes and 38 against. That kind of split is exactly why the Devils are intrigued.
The fit makes sense. Evangelista has the skill to bring more out of the wingers around him, and Meier’s game could benefit from that kind of support. Even if the counting stats don’t pop, Meier still adds plenty to the offense, and his physical edge remains part of his value.
But for New Jersey, that isn’t enough. The Devils need Meier scoring like the player they paid for, and they’re hoping Evangelista can help push him back toward 30 goals or more.
In Other News...
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A hypothetical framework has already surfaced that would send Hellebuyck to New Jersey in exchange for several players and a first-round pick, which is enough to spark debate even before anything real develops. For now, though, there is no sign the Devils and Jets have actually talked, and no indication a deal is close, so this remains the kind of rumor that says as much about the market for top goalies as it does about New Jerseys intentions. [Read more 🡒]
Devils Face A Dawson Mercer Decision That Could Get Complicated
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Mercer is an obvious name to watch because he has been part of the Devils since 2021-22 and has shown enough talent to stay in the conversation, even if his production has not always been steady. The upcoming season could matter as much for evaluation as it does for results, with New Jersey likely wanting a clearer read on whether he is the kind of player worth committing to on a long deal. If Mercer takes a step, the Devils choice gets simpler, but if the inconsistency lingers, the decision could become a lot more complicated. [Read more 🡒]
Hurricanes Suddenly Linked To A Goalie Move Fans Can't Ignore
The conversation around Connor Hellebuyck has widened beyond Winnipeg and now includes several contenders that would feel the ripple effects if the Jets ever decided to move their star goalie. Among the clubs mentioned are Buffalo, Carolina and New Jersey, with the discussion centered on what kind of return could justify dealing a player of that caliber, including prospects and draft capital. It is the sort of offseason chatter that starts as speculation and quickly becomes a leaguewide talking point once a name that big is in play.
For the Devils, the interest is obvious because goaltending is one of the few areas that can reshape a season in a hurry, and any plausible path to upgrading there will draw attention. The broader analysis from Murat Ates and Anthony Di Marco does not point to a deal as imminent, but it does put New Jersey in the same conversation as some of the other teams that would be watching closely if Winnipeg ever seriously entertained offers. For now, it is more a map of possibilities than a deal on the horizon, which is enough to keep Devils fans reading every twist. [Read more 🡒]