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New Jersey Devils Possible Return On Taylor Hall Trade to Colorado Avalanche

By Joseph Stanislau

NEWARK, NJ - OCTOBER 30: New Jersey Devils left wing Taylor Hall (9) skates during the third period of the National Hockey League game between the New Jersey Devils and the Tampa Bay Lightning on October 30, 2019 at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ - OCTOBER 30: New Jersey Devils left wing Taylor Hall (9) skates during the third period of the National Hockey League game between the New Jersey Devils and the Tampa Bay Lightning on October 30, 2019 at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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The New Jersey Devils made big moves the past offseason after Taylor Hall‘s need to play with skilled and talented players. Fortune hasn’t been on Taylor Hall’s side, and now we’re in a position where he’s going to get traded. He is a 28-year-old left wing looking to get to another playoff run, his first since 2018 and second overall. It seems after the New Jersey Devils scouted the Colorado Avalanche at all levels of hockey, and Ray Shero may have found a fit for Hall.

Taylor Hall to Colorado would be the right fit. Colorado has all the right assets from early picks to defensive prospects and several key forward prospects. A package containing Bowen Byram is most likely a no go. After talking to a source close and very familiar to the situation that “likely won’t be part of the deal.” GM Joe Sakic of the Avalanche is not willing to part ways with Byram right away, but it would have to knock Joe’s socks off to get it done.

Another thing to assume is that defenseman Samuel Girard is unlikely to be dealt to New Jersey. So what gives? What the Devils are likely looking at would be Alex Newhook, the well sought after center from the 2019 draft. He is a smart puck carrier, strong power forward with an amazing wrist shot. He’s a high danger zone, mid-danger scoring guy who can snipe from the point. His dangling is certainly above average, and he is a solid passer in key situations.

The other piece you’re looking at is a defenseman named Connor Timmins. He’s a tall, right-handed shot with really smart heads-up skating, and he will move from low danger and stick handle his way to high-danger areas to beat a goaltender. He’s also not afraid to take a shot from the blue line in the low-danger areas. He has only been able to play in two games with Colorado this season, but has been back to play with the AHL affiliate. A player like him needs to be at the NHL level since New Jersey has room for a guy like him on the big club.

If you’re thinking of another prospect in this deal to package that might be in this deal, Martin Kaut makes sense. He’s a Czech center who has very good speed and has a really good shot. Plus he is a pretty solid skater. To think of a minimum of four pieces, it could look something like this:

The first example would likely be New Jersey gets center Alex Newhook, defender Connor Timmins, defender Nikita Zadorov, a 2020 1st, and a 2021 conditional 1st round draft pick if Taylor Hall re-signs. Another look at it is “if there is a sign and trade” New Jersey likely gets Colorado’s 2020 and 2021 1st round picks, Alex Newhook, Conor Timmins, and defenseman Bowen Byram. The Devils will take on that multi year $5 million per season contract starting in 2020.

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The Devils have cap space and the assets to swing a blockbuster trade. Something of that context could be the blueprint to a possible return on Taylor Hall. How can the Devils fan base process this kind of exchange? The first exchange you have an 18 year old like Newhook, who may need 2 to 3 more seasons playing at the collegiate level at Boston College under Coach York.

On the other end, Conor Timmins is waiting for that call to make the big club and he can crack the Devils defense and make a name for himself to possibly steal minutes and gain experience at the NHL level. Nikita Zadorov would add that immediate NHL defender that is a big physical, scary presence that will remind you of Capitals forward Tom Wilson. If you’re looking at a late 1st based off Colorado going deep in the playoffs, it is a see-saw typically for who DOA, Gates Orlando and his Devils scouts may go over for their second possible 1st-round pick.

Assuming today ended with no changes to the Draft Lottery, the Devils staying at 2nd overall you’re getting an Evgeni Malkin 2.0 in Quinton Byfield who is a center for the Subury Wolves of the Ontario Hockey League. He could unseat Alexis Lafreniere of the Rimouski Oceanic of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League to be the 1st overall pick if Lafreniere doesn’t do enough during the U-18 World Junior Tournament. Either way, the Devils would get a great pick to add to a great young core.

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