With simply 11 seconds left on Saturday, Timo Meier poked dwelling a rebound and gave a refined fist pump, attempting to suppress his emotion after scoring a objective that had no influence on the ultimate consequence. However he has each proper to present himself a pat on the again – that objective marked his seventh in simply the final 5 video games.
There’s no denying it: his current play has reminded us precisely why the New Jersey Devils inked him to a most eight-year, $70.4 million extension final offseason. Meier is again.
Efficient Energy Ahead
Within the Devils’ first spherical of the playoffs final season, Meier was unable to file a single level. No one actually complained. Why? He was a menace all collection, utilizing his hard-nosed play type to successfully throw off the New York Rangers’ momentum on varied events.
His 23 hits within the collection led the workforce by a large margin; Kevin Bahl was second with 15. His 66.52 anticipated objectives for proportion (xGF%) have been second to Nico Hischier. His on-ice 5.28 high-danger probabilities per sport led your entire workforce as effectively. (by way of Pure Stat Trick)
That every one equated to precisely what the Devils wanted: somebody who steps up when it issues and generates offense persistently with out sacrificing physicality. This season, although, there’s been an odd regression—a newfound timidity in his play that may solely be defined by accidents. Meier has suffered two of them, the primary in November (undisclosed) and the second in January (mid-body).
On Thursday evening, Meier informed the ESPN broadcasters that he solely began feeling wholesome about ten video games in the past. Let’s check out the numbers…
It’s Timo Time
One of many Devils’ weakest sides is their physicality. Meier was presupposed to take cost of that space however didn’t till just lately. It is smart if he wasn’t at one hundred pc.
Earlier than the purpose the place he proclaimed he felt wholesome, Meier made 55 hits in 40 video games (1.38 hits per sport). Since then, he’s made 21 hits in 11 video games (1.90 hits per sport). He had three on Saturday.
It doesn’t appear to be a drastic distinction, but it surely’s a ~38% enhance. That’s indicative of a participant who’s lastly feeling like himself once more. It’s not simply the physicality division that’s seeing enchancment, although. After scoring 9 objectives in his first 38 video games, he doubled that complete in simply 12 video games.
During the last calendar month, Meier has carried out at what can be a ~53-goal tempo over a full season. The superior numbers again up his play:
Associated: Devils Paying the Worth With out Dougie Hamilton
Till a month in the past, Meier’s 46.87 xGF% was the worst of any lineup regulars, simply behind Brendan Smith’s 47.78%. Since then, his 55.90 xGF% marks sixth-best and fourth amongst forwards. In different phrases, he’s clearly taking part in like a top-sixer once more.
Interim Head coach Travis Inexperienced spoke to The Hockey Writers about his current surge:
“He’s skating arduous, he’s being bodily. He’s being that energy ahead that he needs to be. I believe he’s been engaged along with his bodily play. When you’ve got that type of mindset, you’re going to be skating effectively. When (Meier) is skating, he’s arduous to deal with.”
– Travis Inexperienced
Correct Utilization
Whereas, sure, accidents have performed a big function, it’s robust to think about that his utilization hasn’t performed an element both. When just lately fired head coach Lindy Ruff was on the helm, Meier performed totally on the third line. On the event that he did play within the high six, it was usually short-lived.
Regardless of the damage struggles, gamers like Meier are too proficient to not enable them to determine it out. Meier had not gotten that advantage of the doubt for a protracted stretch. Moreover, regardless of scoring 17 powerplay objectives final season, Meier has principally been banished to the second unit – and below Ruff, it was generally neither.
Inexperienced appears to haven’t any situation giving Meier that chance. He’s put Meier within the high six in all three video games and elevated him to the highest powerplay. He’s additionally performed Meier on the proper wing, the place he primarily discovered success in San Jose. Ruff solely had him on the left wing.
When The Hockey Writers requested Meier about his confidence stage, he took a humble workforce method: “You wish to win video games. That’s what’s most essential. Scoring objectives provides you a great feeling, but it surely clearly sucks once you come out on the dropping finish. For me, I simply maintain working arduous, and the bounces are gonna go (my) manner.”
It’s no shock that Meier has stayed even-keeled and as trustworthy as anybody all through his struggles (and the workforce’s as effectively). Now, he’s lastly getting the outcomes.
I’ll make a comparability to Dougie Hamilton. He was introduced in as an elite offensive presence for the Devils, identical to in Carolina. His first season as a Satan was injury-plagued and crammed with mediocrity. He confirmed flashes however simply couldn’t put all of it collectively. He then exploded the subsequent season and reminded everybody of precisely what he was paid the massive bucks for.
Equally, Meier has struggled in his first full season however is now beginning to discover his footing. I’d count on – barring well being – that he finishes out the marketing campaign sturdy and continues to assist lead the cost for the Devils all of subsequent season.