Taylor Hall trade speculation is increasing
Pierre LeBrun: Have heard that the New Jersey Devils have started to listen to teams calling on pending unrestricted free agent forward Taylor Hall.
The Devils listening doesn’t mean that they will for sure trade Hall but given how their season has gone and what the potential return could be, GM Ray Shero is listening.
Pierre LeBrun: If the Devils do trade Hall, would expect the deal would have conditions attached if he re-signs or not. More assets going to the Devils if he re-signs.
A Hall trade doesn’t have to wait until the trade deadline to get done.
Sportsnet: Chris Johnston said on Sportsnet that Taylor Hall trade interest is picking up.
“The trade market for Taylor Hall is getting a little bit hotter,” said Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston during the Headlines segment on Hockey Night in Canada on Saturday. “It’s believed that teams have started picking up the phone and calling Ray Shero a little bit more.”
Elliotte Friedman comments on teams that could be interested depending on the asking price.
“I do think that the Oilers are one of several teams with the likes of Montreal, Colorado and St. Louis who will be in this,” Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman added. “But like Chris said, I think a lot of it depends on price for the Oilers and anyone else who may bite.”
Abbey Mastracco of NJ.com: They New Jersey Devils have tried to not make the Taylor Hall situation a distraction, but Pierre LeBrun’s comments yesterday morning will make that more difficult. Hall was asked yesterday if he’s looking for a trade.
“I’ll let my agent speak but I have not asked for a trade,” he said. “I don’t know what gets out there sometimes.”
Hall added that he’s staying out of contract talks.
“I’m going to leave all of my contract talks to Ray and to (agent Darren Ferris) from now on,” Hall said. “I think it’s better if I leave that stuff to my agent and Ray.”
If the Devils aren’t in the playoff hunt, and if Hall is not re-signed by the trade deadline, they’ll have no choice but to trade him.