Report claims that Timo Meier has a preferred destination, willing to sign long-term

Meier's contract will come to an end this summer, but as an RFA, the team who acquires him will maintain some control. Meier's qualifying offer of $10 million will present a problem, but if the team that acquired him can sign him to a long-term deal, the cap hit should end up below that.

At this point, the Sharks have not allowed Meier's agent to speak to any of the GMs pursuing his client's services. It's now believed the reason why is that Meier has a preferred destination, if his agent says he won't sign long-term with the team acquiring him, they may be less inclined to give up their best assets for him.

According to Rasid Becorovic, a Devils fan who isn't quite an insider, but has broken news accurately in the past, Meier's preferred destination is New Jersey. This must be taken with a grain of salt due to the source. It's very possible this is a false narrative being spun. It could, however, be the reason the Leafs aren't pursuing Meier as their main trade target. The Devils are already one of the front runners among teams looking to acquire him. If they are the team he would prefer to sign with, other suitors may balk at San Jose's asking price. Part of his massive value is his RFA status. If he won't sign with the acquiring team, his value drops significantly.

What's interesting here is that the source doesn't necessarily have to be accurate for this report to have an impact. Any seed of doubt that Meier would be willing to stay could be enough to scare off certain bidders. I wonder, is this accurate reporting, or a brilliant ploy to help his favourite team land this season's trade deadline golden boy?