Hurdle puts a stop in Timo Meier trade as the trigger was almost pulled!

San Jose Sharks’ Timo Meier is considered the best player available ahead of the March 3 trade deadline and several teams, including the Toronto Maple Leafs, Vegas Golden Knights Carolina Hurricanes and New Jersey Devils are interested in pursuing him.

The latter even got closer to a transaction over the past 48 hours, but according to Pierre LeBrun, there is a very important matter in an extension to be part of this trade. This is what he said on Insider Trading on TSN last night.

“The New Jersey Devils, who absolutely would love to land Meier - there have been more talks in the last 48 hours between the Devils and the Sharks - they would want an extension to be part of this trade, they want to sign Meier as part of this.”

The Hurricanes also have had talks in the last few days, and they are reportedly willing to make this move without an extension.

“The Carolina Hurricanes, another team that has had talks with the Sharks in the last couple of days, they’re a bit more open-minded I’m told, and they could make this trade without even talking to [Meier’s agent Claude] Lemieux or without even worrying about an extension at this point. So two different approaches there between Carolina and New Jersey and of course you have the Toronto Maple Leafs who, by all accounts, remain interested in Meier as well.”

LeBrun also mentioned how Lemieux has not yet been given permission as of Tuesday afternoon to speak directly to the teams involved in trade talks with the Sharks.

Maybe this will push the Devils to seek another forward on the market, but Meier surely remains one of the best pieces ahead of the trade deadline.

Meier has recorded 30 goals and 52 points in 55 games for the Sharks this season. He holds a $6-million cap hit but will require a $10-million qualifying offer this summer to retain his rights, unless the team that acquires him reaches a long-term deal in the interim or trades him once the season ends.

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