Buffalo Sabres: The final verdict on a potential Timo Meier trade

Jan 27, 2023; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; San Jose Sharks right wing Timo Meier (28) smiles before the start of the game against the Carolina Hurricanes against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 27, 2023; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; San Jose Sharks right wing Timo Meier (28) smiles before the start of the game against the Carolina Hurricanes against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

Timo Meier would be a gamechanger for the Buffalo Sabres. But the total costs of acquiring him could disrupt the team’s current chemistry.

Over the past two weeks, I’ve written about why the Buffalo Sabres would do well to consider Timo Meier, and why trading for the young forward makes zero sense. Clearly, I wanted to outline, in separate articles, the pros and cons of trading for Meier.

So now that I’ve had ample time to think about it, where do I stand? If you read my more recent pieces where I mentioned Meier in passing, I currently stand in the makes no sense camp. But that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t be excited at the prospect of landing Meier.

However, it’d be best for the Sabres to pass on him at the moment, as this is a team who needs to focus more on retaining their young talent before they go out of their way to acquire someone in a blockbuster and inking them to a long-term deal. You can expect Buffalo to give up a first round pick, plus a high-end prospect, and at least $10 million per year if not more. Way too much at this point.

Buffalo Sabres should pass on Timo Meier

This time next season, the Sabres will be in prime position to land a Meier-like talent. They could have Rasmus Dahlin and Dylan Cozens signed to long-term extensions, and with them, the following players will be in Buffalo for a while:

  • Jeff Skinner (2028)
  • Alex Tuch (2026)
  • Tage Thompson (2030)
  • Jack Quinn (2025)
  • J.J. Peterka (2025)
  • Dylan Cozens (2030)
  • Rasmus Dahlin (2031 projected)
  • Mattias Samuelsson (2030)

I would also include Tyson Jost to a smaller contract, and we also can’t forget about Owen Power, who the Sabres will likely think about extending some time next season. It also wouldn’t surprise me if they entered talks with Quinn and Peterka.

Overall, before the Sabres land a trade for a Meier-like talent, they need to either sign, or enter talks to sign their core players long-term. This will give Adams a better idea of how much space he has, and who he can land as what would hopefully be the missing puzzle piece to contend for a Cup.

Article Source: NHL Rumors: Could the Buffalo Sabres be in on Timo Meier? by Mark Easson 

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