NHL Rumors: Surprise Team To Watch In Timo Meier Sweepstakes

It is becoming a trend to watch for teams that may not have the intention of extending Timo Meier if he is acquired by them at the trade deadline. The Toronto Maple Leafs and Winnipeg Jets are two teams who have shown interest in bringing in Meier as just a rental and then flipping him after the season. But a team to watch for is the Vegas Golden Knights according to Kevin Weekes.

Vegas is without Mark Stone for likely at least the remainder of the regular season. That $9.5 million AAV cap hit moving over to the long-term injured reserve creates a massive hole in the top-six as well as the space necessary to make a big splash at the deadline. Among playoff contenders and possible Stanley Cup contenders, they have the opportunity to do the most. So why not go for the most impactful player on the market?

Though the Golden Knights may be acquiring Meier for their stretch run to ensure playoffs and to hopefully lift the Stanley Cup, there is a possibility that they could keep him around long-term. Meier is going to require $8-9 million AAV on his next deal to lock up and Vegas has been known to make drastic moves in order to build a winning team. If they were to have success with Meier and he fit in, there's pieces the team could move to make an extension a possibility.

The Golden Knights have a few UFAs at the end of the season, but also have tradeable candidates like Alec Martinez and Reilly Smith that could clear enough cap space to sign Meier long-term. They have been missing that impactful winger this season after Max Pacioretty's departure and unlike Pacioretty and Stone, Meier can stay healthy and contribute.