Todd Cordell: Devils 2, Canucks 1: Blackwood holds the fort

I think its stupid to call out Hall like people have been. People overreact way too much. Hall is playing harder than anyone on the team. Hes skating hard, backchecking harder. Forechecking. Turnovers? Everyone does them? How many posts has he it? Dude is point per game, and yet somehow people say hes done with the team?

Hall is great, even if he ends up getting traded/leaves the team. Fans have blown the "he doesn't want to be here" thing way out of proportion. He's been playing great and has just been largely snake-bitten, goal-wise.

If/when he's no longer on the Devils, I will root for him (as long as it doesn't directly conflict with the Devils success or he's on a rival).

I'm pretty firmly in the trade him camp for no other reason than I just think at this stage, a potential roster rebalancing will be more beneficial in the long run.

The rebuild was accelerated way too much, focus on the kids and shore up the D and goal significantly...trading Hall should be able to chip away significantly at that (even as a rental which is worst case scenario). If his value to the team is so drastic that we fall to the lottery again after his departure, well...that's also a silver lining in disguise IMO. He's a phenomenal player, a defacto superstar of which NJ hasn't had for a while. The writing is on the wall, but I think we'll be just fine however this shakes out.

I'm pretty firmly in the trade him camp for no other reason than I just think at this stage, a potential roster rebalancing will be more beneficial in the long run.

The rebuild was accelerated way too much, focus on the kids and shore up the D and goal significantly...trading Hall should be able to chip away significantly at that (even as a rental which is worst case scenario). If his value to the team is so drastic that we fall to the lottery again after his departure, well...that's also a silver lining in disguise IMO. He's a phenomenal player, a defacto superstar of which NJ hasn't had for a while. The writing is on the wall, but I think we'll be just fine however this shakes out.
- ryant601

Imgine we trade him, get nice pieces, he wins cup and comes back to NJ in the summer.

I'd assume Shero and Hall have a better understanding on where this is headed then anybody else. IF Hall is not inclined to sign here then we need to move him for whatever the best asset package we can get.

I'm fine if Taylor's inclination is to move on. I just don't want the team to take it in the shorts. The guy plays hard every shift and has been a class act.

Imgine we trade him, get nice pieces, he wins cup and comes back to NJ in the summer.
- Leniwm1

It happens so rarely that guys come back when they hit free agency.

I'd assume Shero and Hall have a better understanding on where this is headed then anybody else. IF Hall is not inclined to sign here then we need to move him for whatever the best asset package we can get.

I'm fine if Taylor's inclination is to move on. I just don't want the team to take it in the shorts. The guy plays hard every shift and has been a class act.
- Queenie_5_hole

I think Stl should be the most desperate team for Hall. Their age and contracts leave the team screaming win now, as their window will seal shut in a year or two.

As for Wpg, they are hurting for a top 4 D (vats), and depth at C, especially after the Little injury. Zajac/Zacha could really help them. Zajac is a Wpg boy, it would be a shame to not see him play 1000 games as a Dev, but he would be a great fit in his home town.

Only Shero knows what is happening, but we certainly have some asset's to move if Hall is not going to be here come trade deadline.

I think its stupid to call out Hall like people have been. People overreact way too much. Hall is playing harder than anyone on the team. Hes skating hard, backchecking harder. Forechecking. Turnovers? Everyone does them? How many posts has he it? Dude is point per game, and yet somehow people say hes done with the team?
- Leniwm1

I don't know who is doubting his skill or effort, but the whole fan-base seems to be anxiously awaiting an extension. Nobody wants a J.T. scenario to unfold.

Stl makes sense solely from Blues perspective. I dont think they have they pieces to get it done as much as I am sure they would love to.

To me outside of their cup win which is huge they are very similar to Minny with older players and not much in the cupboards.

I personally wont be to fond of getting a first in the 28 to 31 range just to move Hall when we traded like three 2nd rounders this off season just to try and keep him.

I'd be curious what Gusev's numbers look like from last night. He's no Selke finalist, but I thought he looked pretty good in his own end.

Also Jack looks great. We've got a bonafide star on our hands.

I'd be curious what Gusev's numbers look like from last night. He's no Selke finalist, but I thought he looked pretty good in his own end.

Also Jack looks great. We've got a bonafide star on our hands.
- willschulme

Jack certainly looked like he took another step in translating his game to the NHL yesterday ! Looked like he had played a year already.

Stl makes sense solely from Blues perspective. I dont think they have they pieces to get it done as much as I am sure they would love to.

To me outside of their cup win which is huge they are very similar to Minny with older players and not much in the cupboards.

I personally wont be to fond of getting a first in the 28 to 31 range just to move Hall when we traded like three 2nd rounders this off season just to try and keep him.
- Devilish4

Yeah St Louis just doesn't have the pieces for anything but a rental. Maybe before the Faulk trade, it could've been something to the effect of Bokk and Kostin.

Really expecting hall to be traded any day now. I think Shero wants this going in the right direction as soon as possible so adding new pieces as early as possible gives the team time to move up in the standings.
JMO

Really expecting hall to be traded any day now. I think Shero wants this going in the right direction as soon as possible so adding new pieces as early as possible gives the team time to move up in the standings.
JMO
- rmccart

Why is everyone expecting a trade? He can just as well sign an extension.

Why is everyone expecting a trade? He can just as well sign an extension.
- Leniwm1

It's because some idiot that writes for the Oilers wrote about it so now it's the only thing that can be talked about on this team.

I think its stupid to call out Hall like people have been. People overreact way too much. Hall is playing harder than anyone on the team. Hes skating hard, backchecking harder. Forechecking. Turnovers? Everyone does them? How many posts has he it? Dude is point per game, and yet somehow people say hes done with the team?
- Leniwm1

Hall is a fantastic player, and based on his ability and on ice play I don’t think anyone should want him to leave.

I go back and forth on whether I want him extended based more on where the Devils are. He will be 29 when his extension kicks in meaning the window of peak Taylor Hall is getting smaller. Is this team ready to compete in the next year or two? It doesn’t look like it and tying up a big hit for 8 years on a team that doesn’t look ready might hurt us long term.

It's because some idiot that writes for the Oilers wrote about it so now it's the only thing that can be talked about on this team.
- Pomegrant

Yeah, but realistically does this look like the type of team you'd want to hitch your wagon to for almost a decade?

Yeah, but realistically does this look like the type of team you'd want to hitch your wagon to for almost a decade?
- Queenie_5_hole

I see your point. But if he goes to a filled wagon, ready to win, he prob wont get that $$ he might be looking at.

With the devils, he'll get his $$ while the young players are still producing making less so Shero can spend the extra cash to round out the team.

It does appear Hall could have a better chance on winning with the devils from this POV.

He developed great chemistry with Palms, Nico. The playbook seems to center around Hall when he is on the ice. Im gonna bet he stays.

Yeah, but realistically does this look like the type of team you'd want to hitch your wagon to for almost a decade?
- Queenie_5_hole

Hall is going to get paid by a team with a lot of cap space in a similar position that probably won't be cup contenders and maybe make the playoffs. He can do the same thing in NJ anyway. It's not like he is going to make 10mil+ but also be on a team like Tampa.

Hall is going to get paid by a team with a lot of cap space in a similar position that probably won't be cup contenders and maybe make the playoffs. He can do the same thing in NJ anyway. It's not like he is going to make 10mil+ but also be on a team like Tampa.
- Pomegrant

Maybe. I mean the cap is a real issue. It's just that you see teams figure out ways to clear space for players they want. Nashville cleared out PK to sign Duchene for example. Pittsburg surprised people when they brought in Kessel. Most people didn't think they could make that work with Crosby and Malkin. Hell, even Toronto with Tavares was a bit shocking.

Hall for Quinn Hughes and some pics

I wonder how much worse we would be with Bratt or Zacha next to Hughes-Palmieri compared to Hall. He's obviously the better player, but how would those lines really compare?

Hall for Quinn Hughes and some pics
- WayneZ

I'll pass.

We need a man on D. The Quinns are tiny people. Hobbits most likely.

Hall for Quinn Hughes and some pics
- WayneZ

Vancouver would never make this trade in a million years.