On Timo Meier's early season struggles

The power winger has objectively struggled through three games. Playing with Jack Hughes could be just what he needs to get back on track.

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By JP Gambatese (@JP_Gambatese)

The New Jersey Devils are only three games into the season and head coach Lindy Ruff has already brought out the blender. 

It’s for good reason, though. 

The line of Nico Hischier, Timo Meier, and Dawson Mercer struggled heavily in the Devils’ first few games.

Last season, we saw Hischier make Fabian Zetterlund look like a top-6 NHLer, Timo Meier put up a near-58% xGF% on an incredibly weak Sharks team, and Mercer blossom into a true top-6 talent. We haven’t seen that level of play thus far.

As a whole, the Meier–Hischier–Mercer line has seemed completely out of sorts on the ice. The trio has struggled to maintain any sort of possession, create scoring opportunities around the net, or prevent scoring chances in their own end.

Hischier has looked the best of the three – albeit still not good, and Mercer looked like he was beginning to figure it out at the end of Monday’s tilt against the Panthers. 

Meier, though, has looked completely out of his element. 

Through just about 35 minutes at 5-on-5, Timo has a 32.24% xGF%. That’s not playing against prime competition, either.