Meier signed an eight-year, $70.4 million contract extension with the Devils on June 28.
NEWARK, N.J. -- At the end of the day, Timo Meier knew he wanted to remain with the New Jersey Devils.
From an outside perspective, Meier had plenty of reasons to return to New Jersey. There's the appeal of playing with fellow countrymen Nico Hischier, Jonas Siegenthaler, and Akira Schmid, having an agent who won two championships with the Devils, and general manager Tom Fitzgerald outwardly stating how much he wanted Meier locked up long-term.
While there was plenty of outside noise, Meier tuned all that out and took time to reflect on everything that happened since he was traded from the San Jose Sharks to New Jersey on Feb. 26.
"When I had some time to myself, I listened to myself, listened to my stomach. I knew this is the place where I want to be, and I'm so happy we got this done," he said.
On June 29, after signing an eight-year, $70.4 million contract extension, the 6-foot-1 forward met with attending media members via Zoom. He spoke for a little over 16 minutes and revealed some of the reasons why he chose to commit to New Jersey, beginning with his desire to have his name engraved on the Stanley Cup.
Below are some of the factors he discussed that influenced his decision to sign a long-term deal with the Devils.
"Winning a Stanley Cup, That's My Goal."
Meier has seven NHL seasons under his belt, and the closest he came to the Stanley Cup Final was during the 2018-19 season when the Sharks advanced to the Western Conference Final.
"I want to win. That's how I am as a person," he said. "We took less (money) because that's what's gonna make me happy. It's not the money. It's the success you want to have with the team, the organization, the fans, and all that."
The Devils are projected by many to be a favorite for the Stanley Cup in the 2023-24 season and will once again be led by Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, and Dougie Hamilton.
"You need guys who want to win. You need guys who are committed that are totally bought in, and that's a big thing," he said. "It's something that I feel we have in New Jersey, guys that are close with each other. We have a great group of guys who are tight and work as a team, and those are big things. It's a special thing that's going on."
"Easy Travel to New York From Switzerland."
According to Trip.com, flying from New York to Zurich, Switzerland, takes approximately 7 hours and 51 minutes, compared to 12 hours and 12 minutes from San Jose. Being in closer proximity to his family was a factor in his decision.
"I'm a guy that's very close to my family and friends," he said. "You know, it's an easy travel to New York from Switzerland. It's a shorter flight."
"Everybody Working for the Devils Has Been So Welcoming to Me Right From the Start."
Since his acquisition, Meier has spoken highly of the people within the Devils' organization. During his end-of-season media availability, he again said how welcoming everyone was and that he was treated well since day one.
On June 29, he admitted that was something he considered when making his decision.
"(New Jersey has) a great group of players, and the management's been really great to me. All the staff and everybody working for the Devils has been so welcoming to me right from the start. I think that's also something that was part of this decision."
Meier displayed a lot of excitement when speaking about the 2023-24 season. He is looking forward to his first training camp and preseason with the Devils. He talked about showing the coaching staff right from the start that he is ready to take the next steps in his personal development and fully committed to the team.
"I can't wait to get this upcoming season started," he said. "It can't (come) soon enough. I'm ready to go to work with these guys."