3. A Haul for Hall
Sometimes, a sale is better than a buy in terms of trade. The New Jersey Devils really set the mark with this deal, impacting the Devils in a huge way today. The Devils were hoping to end the rebuild in 2019. Taylor Hall was returning from injury and hoping to return to MVP form. The team added P.K. Subban, Jack Hughes, and Nikita Gusev in the offseason. Then, it all fell apart. Immediately, might we add. The Devils started that season with seven-straight losses.
It became clear pretty quickly that the Devils had to sell. Ray Shero was desperately trying to hold onto his job. So, he had to trade Hall quickly. If he made him available in December, there would be more suitors. And that worked out.
The Devils eventually sent Hall to the Arizona Coyotes. Most fans were devastated by the trade at the time (similar to how Sharks fans are feeling right now). Now? Fans understand this trade has the Devils on the superstar trajectory.
The first-round pick turned into Dawson Mercer. Tom Fitzgerald traded the third-round pick for Jonas Siegenthaler, the Devils first-line defenseman. Kevin Bahl has been playing better as of late, and he could be really good with a little more seasoning. This deal has the Devils in a great place. Thanks, Taylor.