Is Timo Meier on the NY Islanders radar?

The NHL trade deadline is just seven and a half weeks away and trade speculation/talks usually begin to pick up after the holiday break. The NY Islanders are a middle-of-the-pack team through 42 games, but you're not going to convince them they're not a contender. The Isles are in a better position than they were at this time last season, however, they're still teetering on the line between the wild card and out of playoff position. For the longest time, the Islanders have needed a scoring winger and on Tuesday night, San Jose Sharks assistant general manager Tim Burke was in attendance as the Isles took on the Dallas Stars. The one player the Sharks have that many believe is a "perfect fit" for the Islanders is Timo Meier.

The Athletic's Kevin Kurz is the former beat reporter for the Sharks, now covering the Islanders. Kurz reported Burke's presence at UBS Arena on Tuesday night. Much like the fans, Kurz seems to think the Islanders should be targeting Meier as the Isles aren't exactly soaring in the scoring department.

The Islanders have the pieces, but the whole puzzle isn't quite finished. They have their No.1 center in Mathew Barzal. They have their franchise goaltender in Ilya Sorokin. They have a deep blue line of Noah Dobson and Adam Pelech to name a few. Even Brock Nelson was named an All-Star in 2023 following a 37-goal performance last season and is on pace to crack 30 goals again this season. What they've been missing is a proper top-line scorer to line up next to Barzal on the Islanders' first line.

It's true that Meier would be a perfect fit. He's a two-time 30-plus goal scorer that is on pace to eclipse 40 goals this season. He can snipe with the best of them and isn't afraid to drive the net either. Meier is in the final year of his four-year, $24 million contract and has been at the forefront of trade speculation.

The one issue the Islanders might run into is that Meier has a $10M qualifying offer and upon contract negotiations, Meier and his camp could start with that number.

Regardless, Meier is 26 years old and fits in well with the core of the Islanders. His cost could be high and if it comes with a contract extension (a trade doesn't make much sense without one), it becomes even higher. It's fair to speculate if the Islanders have the assets to make it happen, but the fact that Burke is in attendance at least implies a conversation and that conversation might start with Aatu Räty.

Time will tell, but buckle up Isles fans. Lou Lamoriello's offseason resume might not be great, but he's delivered in season before. The Islanders need another game-breaker as Barzal can't do it all himself and Meier certainly fits the profile.