Devils file for team-elected arbitration with Timo Meier

The Devils have filed for arbitration with restricted free-agent Timo Meier, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported Thursday.

Meier had a lofty $10 million qualifying offer, so the Devils are attempting to cut that by 15% ($8.5 million) with team-elected arbitration. The two sides are still working on a long-term agreement, but Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald had to decide whether to file for arbitration or not before Thursday’s 5 p.m. ET deadline. This decision allows New Jersey to keep his rights and provides more time to negotiate.

MORE: For comprehensive Devils coverage, download our mobile app.

Meier, 26, was acquired in a blockbuster deal between the Devils and the San Jose Sharks in February. He logged 40 goals and 26 assists in 78 games played this season. The Swiss winger didn’t have the best offensive showing in the postseason – four points in 11 games – but his physicality and prolific goal-scoring ability should make him Fitzgerald’s top extension priority this offseason.

In a recent interview with NHL.com at the NHL Scouting Combine, Fitzgerald said he has spoken with Meier’s agent – former Devils player Claude Lemieux – and hopes to sign him long-term before he becomes an unrestricted free agent next offseason.

“We would love nothing better to tie him up long term,” Fitzgerald told NHL.com. “That’s our goal. That’s what Claude and I will go through.

“I want them to understand what New Jersey is, what the organization is, the living — I think New Jersey is a diamond in the rough — the travel, all the positive things. Give him a chance to settle in and go: ‘OK, I hope you want to be here.’ Those are some of the things we’ll go through.”

Meier didn’t tip his hand when discussing his looming contract decision at exit interviews on May 13, but claimed he loved the “great” people in the organization and praised the Devils’ facilities in Newark.

“It’s fresh after our loss and you just want to take a couple of days – obviously it’s not a great feeling being out,” said Meier. “But you just want to empty your head a little bit and take a week or two off. Yeah, there are some conversations that are going to be in the future. That’s going to be a topic this summer for sure, but as of now, you just reflect on the season and look at the stuff.

“Travel is easier here. The practice rink is a really nice set up. Great people, everybody has been treating me so well. Yeah, definitely a great place.”

After inking Jesper Bratt long-term Thursday afternoon, the Devils have $26.4 million in projected offseason cap space, according to CapFriendly. They recorded a franchise record 52 wins and 112 points this season.

MORE DEVILS OFFSEASON:

–Andrew Brunette opens up about Devils tenure, explains why he’s ‘absolutely’ nervous about coaching against them with Predators

-’Devils’ Jack Hughes to RFA’s Jesper Bratt, Timo Meier: ‘If you want to be in N.J. … sign the deal’

–