Devils trying to sell Timo Meier on the benefits of playing with a team of rising stars.
Devils trying to sell Timo Meier on the benefits of playing with a team of rising stars.
When coming up with dream destinations for potential free agents, you might not automatically consider New Jersey to be among the top of the list.
Not in a league that includes Vegas, Florida, or even New York.
But according to NHL.com's Mike Zeisberger, who spoke to Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald at this week's Scouting Combine, New Jersey should be considered a "hidden gem" when it comes to its roster. That's ultimately the sell job that the Devils are using to try and get restricted free agent Timo Meier to re-sign with the team.
Fitzgerald, who is at the NHL Scouting Combine in Buffalo, told NHL.com that contract talks with Meier's agent, Claude Lemieux, will begin this week. The 26-year-old Meier is set to become a restricted free agent on July 1 and is one year away from unrestricted free agency.
Meier came to New Jersey via a multi-player trade on Feb. 26 in a deal that sent Fabian Zetterlund, Shakir Mukhamadullin, and Nikita Okhotiuk out the door. Following the trade, Fitzgerald was asked how confident he was about getting Meier to sign an extension.
"What I am confident in is who we are and what we can sell. I've always said New Jersey is a diamond in the rough," he said. "People outside of here do not know what it's like until you get here and go, 'Wow, this really is incredible.' You have one-stop shopping, game rink, and practice rink. The airport is 10 minutes away. ... It's a hidden gem. People do not know about New Jersey. We're very confident that what we can provide and sell is something that we believe Timo will buy."
Months later, during his conversation with Zeisberger, Fitzgerald provided the same spiel about New Jersey being a hidden gem.
"I want them to understand what New Jersey is, what the organization is, the living -- I think New Jersey is a diamond in the rough -- the travel, all the positive things," said Fitzgerald to Zeisberger. "Give him a chance to settle in and go: 'OK, I hope you want to be here.' Those are some of the things we'll go through."
So What Makes New Jersey an Optimal Destination for Players?
As someone who lived in New Jersey her entire life, I perhaps have a skewed opinion of the Garden State. It boasts incredibly high taxes and has seemingly never-ending traffic in all directions.
Of course, I am not Fitzgerald's primary target audience. After taking a step back, I re-examined the benefits of living in New Jersey from the perspective of a professional hockey player. Immediately I acknowledged the appeal of every Metropolitan Division opponent being within a two-hour flight and having access to one of the world's largest cities.
To better understand, I reached out to former Devils' captain and MSG Networks studio analyst Bryce Salvador, who brought up an excellent point about Prudential Center.
"The "Rock" is a state-of-the-art training facility that also houses the practice rink," he said. "It might not seem like a big deal, but going to one location for both your games and practices is extremely convenient and highly overlooked."
After doing some research, I noticed the Devils are one of only a handful of NHL organizations with their practice and game rink in the same facility. Prudential Center is also an eight-minute drive to Newark Liberty International Airport. By comparison, Ball Arena is roughly 30 minutes from Denver International Airport.
In speaking with players who have played for both eastern and western conference teams, it seems hard to dispute how great the travel is for a team on the East Coast like the Devils. Fitzgerald previously shared that in speaking with Meier, he said, "The travel may add five more years to your career."
What Devils Alumni Say About New Jersey
Ken Daneyko is arguably the Devils' biggest promoter and has lived in New Jersey for 40 years.
"I've loved New Jersey since the day I came into the league and started playing for the Devils. I was 19 years old and never went home much. I just loved everything Jersey had to offer," he said. "Despite what people who have never visited New Jersey may say, the suburbs and places to live in Jersey are as good as it gets. Not to mention the Jersey Shore, which is beautiful, and all of the great golf courses in the state."
Salvador, who grew up in Brandon, Manitoba, has lived in New Jersey since the St. Louis Blues traded him on July 1, 2008. He shared that he was taken aback by how much he enjoys the area he now calls home.
"When asked about my time as a New Jersey Devils player and alumnus, I always say that my biggest surprise was how much I enjoyed living in New Jersey when I was playing and now retired," Salvador said. "Having access to New York City and the Jersey Shore was something I didn't appreciate at first."
Daneyko also cited that New York City provides excellent entertainment, baseball, and theater, while in East Rutherford, NJ, there are two NFL teams which is great for a sports junkie like himself.
A Bright Future That Players Will Want to Be Part Of
There is no denying the Devils are a team on the rise, and thanks to Fitzgerald, they are built for long-term success. With a core of players aged 19 to 24, there is a chance for a player like Meier to be part of something great.
"Right now, playing for the New Jersey Devils presents a tremendous opportunity to join an exciting team on the cusp of truly competing for a Stanley Cup within the next few years," said Salvador. "Because of the organization's winning history, the fan base is passionate, authentic, and awesome to play in front of."
Prudential Center can hold 16,514 fans and, during the 2022-23 season, had an average attendance of 15,207. With their surprising success, fans showed up and reminded Daneyko of the glory days.
"With this young Devils team on the upswing, the support last season was off the charts," he said. "It reminds me so much of my days when we were winning Cups. During those Championship years, our building and fan base was absolutely insane in a positive way."
There are plenty of reasons that should lead to Meier signing a long-term deal. During his end-of-season media availability, the Herisau native was asked about the importance of having the practice rink attached to the main rink, the easier travel, and if that goes into the thought process of where he wants to be.
"Yeah, 100 percent. The travel is easier here than I had before," he said. "The practice rink right here, it's definitely a really nice setup. Like I said, it's great people. Everybody treated me so well. It's a great place."
When it comes to players signing a long-term contract, they are not only committing themselves to the team but the area as well. Many factors go into a player's decision, even ones that seem as minuscule as having all the team's facilities in one location. Fitzgerald will continue to talk with Meier's agent to iron out a deal that will keep the former ninth-overall pick in New Jersey for the foreseeable future.