Fantasy Hockey Implications Following Timo Meier Devils Trade
Without burying the almost obvious lead, the Timo Meier fantasy managers are or should be throwing a party following the recent news of the former Sharks forward being traded to New Jersey. The trade to a real contender is a crystal clear positive for Meier’s fantasy stock. However, just how big of a win is it and how should fantasy managers proceed from here?
Frankly, it doesn’t really matter who centers Meier in Jersey. It will likely be Nico Hischier but Meier will get ice time with Jack Hughes as well on the power play. Both Hischier and Hughes are superstars and have firmly put the Devils into the championship window. Both are upgrades over what Meier had with the Sharks.
Jersey currently ranks second in the NHL in goals scored per game (3.5). A mark that only trails the historic Boston Bruins. The Sharks sit 26th in the league and now lose their top goal scorer. From a fantasy perspective where goals and the assists count the same, Meier’s production should increase exponentially just from being on a team that’s going to put the puck in the net more frequently.
Meier, 26, is currently averaging 2.9 points per game which is a really great number. With Jersey, he potentially becomes a league winning type guy over the stretch. If I haven’t made it clear by now, if you have Meier, you should be happy. If you can pull off a trade for Meier without selling off too much, I advise that to be the course of action.
Adding a premier goal scoring like Meier has an exerlasting effect to other Jersey skaters too. Hughes, Hischier, and even Dougie Hamilton should all get bumps. Meier has 31 goals on the season and certainly someone in Jersey is going to take advantage of those new assists that are about to be on the way. If you can find a way to acquire one of those three guys for a reasonable price, it’s an additional avenue I’d explore.
The biggest question mark is what to do with Erik Karlsson. This was the fear I had and eventually moved off him. What happens if Karlsson isn’t traded or even worse gets shut down during the fantasy playoffs when the season is really over for the Sharks? If Karlsson doesn’t get moved it’s going to be really hard for him to pick up points without Meier in the lineup. Something to consider if you are a Karlsson owner with the dream trade to Edmonton looking less and less likely.
