Timo Meier has had another rough season for the New Jersey Devils. Upon his arrival in New Jersey at the 2023 trade deadline, the hopes were that Meier’s goal scoring ability would help push the Devils offense forward into another gear. Yet since coming over from San Jose, Meier hasn’t managed his 2021-22 numbers nor his 2022-23 total. While there was some leeway given for adjusting after his acquisition, once Meier signed his eight year, $8.8 million per season contract, expectations rose exponentially.
Sadly for both Meier and the Devils, said expectations haven’t been met.
Now, there are some reasonable explanations for Meier’s reduced scoring totals. Part of it is his shot volume; in the season where he joined the Devils, Meier put 327 total shots on goal; the season prior, 326. His first “full” season in New Jersey (he missed 13 games) saw him only get 207 shots on goal. Last season saw a slight jump to 239, but he did play 11 more games than the season prior. His shooting percentage was slightly above his career average in his 40 goal 2022-23 campaign, yet his 35 goal season in 2021-22, the same year he tallied 326 shots on goal saw his shooting percentage almost match his career average. He’s currently trending towards worse numbers in terms of both goals scored and shooting percentage; maybe Meier is just declining as he approaches his 30s.
Except for the fact that he just finished representing Switzerland in the Olympics…and he was one of the best forwards there…and he played on the right side that he was accustomed to in San Jose.
Meier’s time at the tournament may be done with Switzerland’s elimination yesterday, but he posted seven points (including three goals) in five games, good for him to currently be tied for fifth in Olympic scoring. In an additional positive note, he also did not take a single penalty in those games. I am aware that Olympic hockey is different and that teams are in some essence all-star teams, but Switzerland isn’t exactly a powerhouse full of NHL talent. If you account for the fact that he isn’t playing with scrubs on the Devils, there’s two main differences that stand out: the coaching and the wing he’s on.
The Devils making a coaching change has already been discussed, and whether it should happen (or will happen) or not depends on who you ask. Moving Timo from left wing to right wing, however, has yet to be tried in his Devils tenure, and at this point I have to ask what’s the harm in trying? It seems that playing on the right side is Meier’s preference, as again that as his spot for both San Jose and for Switzerland. Maybe it doesn’t unlock whatever is blocking him from being more successful as a Devil, but if he continues to underachieve in his preferred spot, then we just wind up right back at the “coaching change” part of this discussion, albeit with more evidence to make said change.
I know there will be some fans/pundits that say moving Meier to the right won’t make a difference. That at most it is a minor change that will have little to no impact on both Meier’s individual stats and the team’s record. If that’s the concern, then why not at least TRY it? The worst thing that happens is Meier stays stagnant as he is now; at the very least, trying it could lead to something positive happening. He’s not going to get worse than 28 points in 52 games (a lowly 44 point pace across 82 games) for $8.8 million this season, so Sheldon Keefe might as well try Meier out on his off hand side. And if this is some sort of coaching staff not believing in forwards on their off side issue, or a management thing with them not wanting that, then maybe it’s time to replace whoever it is with that antiquated way of thinking.
“Move Meier (Back) to the Right Wing” isn’t a new concept, but maybe it’s time to at least give it a chance. Like I mentioned already he can’t really play any worse, and maybe it is part of why he had a stronger performance internationally. The Devils need something, anything to get them going after the break if they want to try to be competitive. Giving Timo a shot on the other side of the ice could be one small move that helps lead toward the team improving.
What are your thoughts on the Devils possibly playing Timo Meier on his off wing; do you think it would have any impact at all? Do you feel he should’ve been on that side all along? Are there any concerns you have that weren’t discussed, such as where this would push other players in the lineup? Does it all still come back to coaching? Leave any and all comments below and thanks as always for reading!
