Former San Jose Sharks winger Timo Meier was benched in the third period today.

New Jersey Devils head coach Lindy Ruff benched former San Jose Sharks winger Timo Meier in the third period today.

Meier has played 16:57 and 17:30 in the Devils first two games this season. Tonight against the Florida Panthers, he played just 11:29. 

According to Elliotte Friedman, Ruff said it was a coach's decision to bench the players.

"Can't take the penalties he took," Ruff said about Meier after the game.

He is referring to two tripping penalties in a span of 4:18 in the second period. Both trips looked like Meier got beat around the outside and got lazy with his stick. Meier reached out and blatantly tripped the opposition. 

THN's Devils reporter Kristy Flannery had this to say about Meier:

"The only thing I can say is that he was the guy in San Jose, and in New Jersey, he is one of many. There has to be a mental thing there."

Meier has not been playing on the top powerplay unit with the Devils as they try to spread the offense across both units.

The Devils expect big things from the former San Jose Shark, as they just gave him an eight-year, $70,400,000 contract. 

Make sure you bookmark THN's San Jose Sharks site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.

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