Devils re-sign star forward Timo Meier to eight-year, $70.4 million deal

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The New Jersey Devils secured another piece from last year's team, re-signing forward Timo Meier to an eight-year, $70.4 million contract through the 2030-31 NHL season.

General manager Tom Fitzgerald announced the signing of the restricted free agent on Wednesday, hours before the start of the league's draft in Nashville, Tennessee.

Timo Meier #96 of the New Jersey Devils warms up prior to Game Two of the Second Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena on May 05, 2023 in Raleigh, North Carolina.  (Josh Lavallee/NHLI via Getty Images)

The contract will pay the 26-year-old Swiss forward an average of $8.8 million annually with the deal starting at $12 million this upcoming season and winding down to $7.2 million in the last year.

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"We were excited to acquire Timo at the deadline, but it’s an even greater feeling knowing that he’ll be here for the next eight seasons," Fitzgerald said. "Timo’s unique blend of style of play, goal-scoring ability, and physical presence will prove valuable for us.

Timo Meier #96 of the New Jersey Devils celebrates his goal in the first period of Game Three of the Second Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Carolina Hurricanes at the Prudential Center on May 7, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey.  (Rich Graessle/NHLI via Getty Images)

Fitzgerald had said in recent weeks the two sides were drawing closer on a deal and it caps a good week for the up-and-coming Devils, who added Calgary Flames leading scorer Tyler Toffoli in a trade on Tuesday night for Yegor Sharangovich and a draft pick.

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