The Devils acquired forward Timo Meier from the Sharks in a massive deal before the trade deadline. It gives New Jersey a lethal weapon to utilize in its top-six forward group for years to come.
Meier joins a Devils team in the midst of a breakout year. The club is currently in second in the Metropolitan and is in a great position to make the playoffs in the Eastern Conference. Not only that, but he is the fourth Swiss player on New Jersey's roster, joining countrymen Nico Hischier, Jonas Siegenthaler and Akira Schmid.
"He's going to be one of our top-six [forwards]," Devils coach Lindy Ruff said about Meier. "He's a goal-scorer. He's got speed, he's got size. He's a big, physical guy that I think we need up front, that I think can complement some of our skill guys."
Meier, 26, has 31 points and 52 points in 57 games played this year. He broke out for a career-best 76 points last season and is threatening to surpass that mark this year.
When will Meier make his debut? The Sporting News has all the information below.
MORE: Watch the 2022-23 NHL season live with fuboTV (free trial)
Is Timo Meier playing vs. Avalanche tonight?
The newest member of the Devils isn't going to make his debut quite yet.
Meier said that he is "anxious" to join the Devils and play, however, his upper-body injury is going to push his New Jersey debut back.
Timo Meier yesterday on moving toward his #NJDevils debut:
— Amanda Stein (@amandacstein) March 1, 2023
"Progressing and I'm anxious to go and play but there's some thing you've got to fix first, get 100% ready. Listen to the body. Just working w the medical staff to get me out there in game action as soon as possible."
The forward missed the Sharks' last three games with an injury before he was dealt to the Devils. It is going to also keep him out of the game against the Avalanche on Wednesday.
"In all likelihood, [he won't play]," Ruff said on Tuesday. "There's testing. There's protocol he has to follow to be cleared for contact yet, so hopefully, that's within today or tomorrow."
If Meier does not play on Wednesday, his next chance to debut for the Devils is Friday, March 3 when the club faces the Golden Knights in Vegas.
Devils vs. Avalanche start time
- Date: Wednesday, March 1
- Time: 9 p.m. ET | 7 p.m. CT
Devils vs. Avalanche will start at 9 p.m. ET, 7 p.m. local time on Wednesday, March 1.
The game will be played at Ball Arena in Denver.
What channel is Devils vs. Avalanche on?
- Date: Wednesday, March 1
- TV channel (Newark): MSGSN
- TV channel (Denver): Altitude Sports
- Live streaming: MSG GO, AltitudeNOW, fuboTV, ESPN+
Devils vs. Avalanche will air on MSGSN in New York and Altitude Sports in Denver for those in the markets.
Fans in New Jersey can stream the action on MSG GO, or through fuboTV, which offers a free trial. Those in Denver can stream it through AltitudeNOW.
Out-of-market viewers can watch on ESPN+.
