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The NHL Trade Deadline is Friday so there could be another big move made by then – the NHL world is waiting for the New York Rangers to acquire Patrick Kane – but no question one big winner ahead of the deadline is the New Jersey Devils after acquiring forward Timo Meier from the San Jose Sharks. New Jersey is now +1200 to win its first Stanley Cup since 2003 and no doubt the team makes the playoffs for the first time since 2018. Check out MyBookie’s NHL betting analysis for the Stanley Cup.

Updated Stanley Cup Odds After Week 20: Devils Get Boost With Timo Meier Trade

The Devils got Meier, forward Timur Ibragimov, defensemen Scott Harrington, Santeri Hatakka, goaltender Zachary Emond and a fifth-round pick (originally Colorado’s selection) in the 2024 NHL Draft via trade with the Sharks in exchange for New Jersey’s first-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft (conditional), defensemen Shakir Mukhamadullin and Nikita Okhotiuk, forwards Andreas Johnsson and Fabian Zetterlund, a conditional second-round selection in the 2024 NHL Draft and a seventh-round selection in 2024. San Jose will retain 50% of Meier’s 2022-23 salary as part of the trade.

The 2023 first-round draft pick likely will fall after No. 16, with the Devils well on their way to the playoffs. The 2024 first-rounder is a bit complicated, it relies on the 2022-23 Devils making the conference finals (and Meier playing 50 percent of the playoff games) or the 2023-24 Devils making the conference finals (doesn’t matter how many playoff games that Meier plays in that run).

Meier had 31 goals and 21 assists to total 52 points in 57 games with the Sharks this season. He has reached the 30-goal mark in three of the last five seasons, with his highest goal output coming last season (35). The forward’s 52 points ranked second on San Jose, while his 13 power-play goals rank seventh (tie) in the NHL and established a career-high. His 31 goals have him tied for 14th in the League while his 255 shots on goal ranks third in the League behind only David Pastrnak (279) and Connor McDavid (267).

As other teams in the running – Carolina Hurricanes, Winnipeg Jets, Vegas Golden Knights, etc. – started making other deals and dropping out, New Jersey started to look more and more like the final destination. The Canes tried valiantly over the past 10 days, especially. One of their final offers had six pieces in it, including a first-round pick and a second-round pick, plus prospects. But the one young player they never relented in not wanting to move is Russian blueliner Alexander Nikishin.

Meier, who will wear No. 96 with the Devils, is a prototypical power forward. He has a solid base at 6-foot-1, 220 pounds and will play physical. The Devils still have to re-sign Meier, a restricted free agent this offseason with a $10 million qualifying offer.

“You see them play. They’re an exciting team to watch,” Meier said of the Devils. “They’re a tough team to play against. For me, to get an opportunity to join a team like that with a lot of young guys that are stars in this league and really, really good players, to join them is a good opportunity for me.”

Meier’s five-on-five play is particularly stellar. As is, no one shoots the puck at a higher rate than his 22.6 attempts per 60, and when factoring in quality, he ranks 13th in expected goal generation (1.24 per 60). And now he’ll be in a different environment in New Jersey, on a team that thrives at even strength compared with the Sharks.

The Devils boast strong center depth between Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier. They’re two different, very skillful pivotal players who have thrived this season. One of them generally has a two-way force in Jesper Bratt on their wing. Now the other will have Meier in most five-on-five situations.

Meier should make his Devils debut Wednesday at defending Stanley Cup champion Colorado, which is +700 to repeat. League-best Boston remains the +400 favorite and also has fortified itself ahead of the deadline. There should be at least 1-2 more significant trades by Friday’s deadline led by Kane. The Sharks probably aren’t done selling.