Does Taylor Hall Actually Impact New Jersey Devils Moves?
By Nick Villano
At the end of a lost season, New Jersey Devils star Taylor Hall says this team needs more talent. Despite those remarks, will the Devils actually change their strategy based on their star’s contract status?
Things changed dramatically for the New Jersey Devils when they won the NHL Draft Lottery. After a season where things looked about as bleak as possible, now they have either Jack Hughes or Kaapo Kakko to save them. It’s going to be great, it really is.
We know that we are going to get a great talent on the NHL next season no matter what. Now that that’s established, let’s look at the other ways the New Jersey Devils can add talent to the team. Ray Shero likely has a strategy going into the offseason for the free agency and trade markets.
If the salary cap goes up to $83 million like we expect it to, then the Devils will have more than $35 million in cap space. They’d actually have $13 million until they hit the cap floor. Even with re-signing restricted free agents like Will Butcher, Pavel Zacha and the rest, they still won’t hit the floor. That means the Devils will be spending this offseason on someone, if not someones.
The biggest storyline surrounding the Devils this season is the contract status of Taylor Hall. The team is eligible to re-sign him on July 1st to an extension. Obviously, that will be Shero’s biggest priority, but the question is will he change his strategy for other players if it means Hall re-signs.
It’s hard to say at this point. It seems like that’s something they would absolutely do, but when really thinking about it, would losing Taylor Hall really change their strategy?
The Devils still need a number-one defenseman and a top-six winger. Shero is going to go after that no matter what. Jeff Skinner would be a really good fit on this team right now, giving them a really scary top six. With Hall, Skinner likely plays on the second line with Jack Hughes and Kyle Palmieri or Jesper Bratt. Then, Hall plays with Nico Hischier and the other right winger.
If Hall leaves, wouldn’t Skinner still fit perfectly on this team? He’s going to cost a ton, but they could fit him in the cap easily with or without Hall on the team.
More from Pucks and Pitchforks
- Should New Jersey Devils Try Load Management With Vitek Vanecek?
- New Jersey Devils Will Prove That Last Year Wasn’t A Fluke
- New Jersey Devils: Luke Hughes’ Playmaking Will Outshine His Mistakes
- New Jersey Devils: Chase Stillman’s Performance Causes Concern
- Can Devils Fans Separate Zach Parise Heartbreak From Achievements?
Then, say the Devils try to trade for either Jacob Truba or P.K. Subban. With or without Hall, the Devils need someone to lead this defense. We learned that neither Damon Severson or Sami Vatanen can really be the number one guy, but they’re both great complimentary pieces. Obviously, Hall doesn’t impact that decision, except for the fact you want to show him that you’re adding talent.
Still, Shero has said his priority is to keep Hall here long term. Maybe Hall isn’t the end all be all to this decision, but it has to be motivation for the Devils front office. If Hall says “hey, if you sign (insert his favorite free agent here) then I will lock myself up,” then the Devils will do everything in their power to do that. Does Hall impact who the Devils go after? He actually might. These players would fit with or without Hall on the team, but the Devils can’t be quiet this offseason.
By NHL rule, they have to spend on someone this offseason, and with Jack Hughes (or Kaapo Kakko) spending three years making near the minimum, Shero will want to take advantage of that. In conclusion, Hall is a factor, but these moves would make sense with or without him on the team.