A new top target on the trade bait list following Bo Horvat trade.

The Vancouver Canucks and New York Islanders pulled off a huge trade last week when it was announced that Canucks captain Bo Horvat had been traded to the Islanders for a package of assets. Although it is always a big deal to see a National Hockey League captain traded while serving in that role, Horvat had for a long time been the #1 target on most pundits' trade bait lists.

Horvat and the Canucks were clearly never going to be able to come to terms on a new contract and that meant that a trade was the only option that remained, a scenario that sounds eerily familiar to that currently being experienced by San Jose Sharks star forward Timo Meier.

Perhaps for that reason it should come as no surprise that Meier has now found himself replacing Horvat at the top of most pundit's trade bait list, a group that includes NHL insider Frank Seravalli. Over the weekend Seravalli not only shared his belief that Meier is now the top trade target ahead of the NHL's upcoming trade deadline, but even went one step further by indicating where he thinks Meier may end up.

From Seravalli:

Start spreading the news. The New York Rangers have set their sights on Meier as the No. 1 target leading up to the deadline. Keep in mind: Sharks GM Mike Grier knows the Rangers organization inside and out, so they’d make great trade partners. 

Seravalli does go on to mention the New Jersey Devils as another potential suitor for Meier, but they and the Rangers may not be the only interested parties. Meier is having another solid season with 28 goals and 20 assists for a total of 48 points in 51 games, and that is in spite of being on a rather lackluster San Jose Sharks team this season.

What also makes Meier a very attractive trade target is the fact that he is currently in the final year of a contract that carries an average annual value of just $6 million per season, a bargain price for a player of his caliber and one that makes him much more affordable than some of the other names out there like Patrick Kane or Jonathan Toews of the Chicago Blackhawks.

Expect to see Meier moving sooner rather than later.