THN.com/podcast. From THN On The 'E': Flyers' ECHL Affiliate, Future Considerations and More Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MTk1NjkyMzY5MzQzOTQ4Njgz/usatsi_19850360.jpg] With Bo Horvat off the market, Timo Meier has become this season's top trade candidate [https://thehockeynews.com/news/timo-meier-becomes-the-top-nhl-trade-candidate] as the March 3 deadline approaches. Recent speculation linked the 26-year-old San Jose Sharks winger to the New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabres. Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli [https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/sharks-timo-meier-is-the-new-no-1-on-daily-faceoffs-trade-targets-board] reported the Rangers have made Meier their No. 1 trade candidate. He felt the two clubs would be “great trade partners,” pointing out that Sharks GM Mike Grier knows the Rangers organization “inside and out” from his days as a hockey operations advisor with the Blueshirts. NHL.com's Dan Rosen [https://www.nhl.com/news/over-the-boards-dan-rosen-mailbag-february-1/c-340622486], however, was skeptical about the Rangers' rumored interest in Meier. He doesn't see how the pending restricted free agent would fit within their 2023-24 salary-cap structure when they've got Filip Chytil, Alexis Lafreniere and K'Andre Miller due for new contracts this summer. Rosen also cited the potentially high cost of acquiring Meier from the Sharks. He speculated the Rangers would have to part with Chytil or Lafreniere, along with top prospect Brennan Othmann and a first-round pick. Seravalli also said the New Jersey Devils could be in on Meier. The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun [https://theathletic.com/4129560/2023/01/27/devils-nhl-trade-deadline/] shares that opinion after Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald expressed interest in adding a top-six winger under team control during a recent interview. The New York Post's Larry Brooks [https://nypost.com/2023/02/04/jack-hughes-brilliance-for-devils-on-par-with-areas-past-phenoms/] said the Devils have the assets to acquire Meier, but the winger could be a tight squeeze within their current limited cap space. He's also not sure if they could afford to re-sign Meier and fellow RFA winger Jesper Bratt beyond this season. Meanwhile, The Buffalo News' Lance Lysowski [https://twitter.com/LLysowski/status/1619005997984681986] cited a source saying Sabres GM Kevyn Adams contacted the Sharks about Meier. However, he was merely doing due diligence to gauge the asking price.
