Sharks' Reporter Believes Team Will Move Its Leading Goal Scorer

The San Jose Sharks are in as great of a position as anyone to sell off some players at or before the NHL's March 3rd trade deadline. Most of the national spotlight has rested upon defenseman Erik Karlsson, most likely because he is on a 100-point pace halfway through the season.

However, the likeliest piece of trade bait on the Sharks isn't the Swede. Rather, a Swiss forward by the name of Timo Meier.

According to Sharks correspondent Corey Masisak of The Athletic, odds are Meier is not on the team next season. Whether via trade or free agency, Meier will likely be on a new team to start the 2023-24 season.

Meier is in the last year of a four-year, $24 million signed in 2019. The wrench in a potential trade is that Meier will command a whopping $10 million qualifying offer as a restricted free agent. Therefore, San Jose's options are to trade the Swiss forward or opt not to tender such an offer, allowing him to walk as an unrestricted free agent.

The final bullet point in Masisak's gauge suggests - to me, anyway - that the Sharks could tender a qualifying offer and hold onto Meier's rights if the two sides can't agree to anything.

However, a trade would likely be the best path forward for all interested parties. The Sharks would be secure a sizable haul for Meier, who has 40 points (23g, 17a) in 41 games this season, and there is no shortage of teams in need of his blend of size and skill, as the deadline quickly approaches.

Source: Corey Masisak, The Athletic

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