In late January, weeks before the trade-deadline rumor mill reached its apex, Timo Meier sat at a bar in Tulum, Mexico, surrounded by fake palm trees, string lights and a gaggle of fellow NHL players.
It was the All-Star break and Meier, long considered the top prize on the trade market, flew to the beach to escape San Jose’s grueling rebuild and nonstop speculation regarding his next landing spot. Seated to his right was teammate Noah Gregor – who, along with Meier, was frustrated with the Sharks’ humiliating 15-25-11 record at that point.