I hope Hall signs with the Devils. But if not Shero needs to get the best value he can.

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

Has Hall ever suggested he’s interested in going to a team in a similar position to make lots of money? I get that you may be skeptical of what he’s saying and I know athletes have no obligation to be truthful, but what you’re describing is almost the exact opposite of his stated goal. If winning is his priority, it seems more likely he goes to a team like Colorado for something like $52.5m/7. Still something they’d have to work in under the cap, but probably not impossible.

I hope Hall signs with the Devils. But if not Shero needs to get the best value he can.
- redmonsters

Shero will do well. He rarely loses an asset for nothing and seems to dominate the trade market. He must be frustrated with Hynes tho. Having the freshly signed Gusev playing 10 minutes if he isn't a healthy scratch, and P.K without a competent pairing is certainly not what he had visioned when he added that 13.5M AAV cap hit collectively.

Shero will do well. He rarely loses an asset for nothing and seems to dominate the trade market. He must be frustrated with Hynes tho. Having the freshly signed Gusev playing 10 minutes if he isn't a healthy scratch, and P.K without a competent pairing is certainly not what he had visioned when he added that 13.5M AAV cap hit collectively.
- bikeguy99

Do you really think Hynes is making these decisions without Shero in the loop?

I wanted Hall to sign last year and still do but at this point I'm tired of hearing about it. I wouldn't mind him being traded early, us getting whatever we can get, hopefully a 1st and a good prospect, and move on from it.

I wanted Hall to sign last year and still do but at this point I'm tired of hearing about it. I wouldn't mind him being traded early, us getting whatever we can get, hopefully a 1st and a good prospect, and move on from it.
- Devils4ever

That's where I'm at too. I'm at peace with whatever happens, but this kind of distraction helps no one. Especially someone like Hughes.

I wanted Hall to sign last year and still do but at this point I'm tired of hearing about it. I wouldn't mind him being traded early, us getting whatever we can get, hopefully a 1st and a good prospect, and move on from it.
- Devils4ever

All I know is whatever happens Shero will do what is best for the team. I trust him completely.

in a weird way for me the better Hughes looks, the older Hall seems. If Hughes can continue to improve to be a stellar 18yr old, why would we want someone who's 28 and not really an iron man? Hughes, Hischier, Nico, Blackwood, .. Smith.. and this year's top 5 pick.. and whatever we get for Hall.
But then again, we go on a run and my opinion may change to keeping Hall as part of a group to win within the next 7 years.. which is a feasible thing too.

Do you really think Hynes is making these decisions without Shero in the loop?
- Leniwm1

Yes. He is busy focusing on the future signings, and scouting for trades. Clearly that was all he did last year. Tensions at the moment must be high. It certainly does not look good on a GM when he spends big $$ to have the coach sit them, or play them 10 minutes a night. I would not be surprised if he is the first coach fired this season. Only time will tell, maybe Blackwood can bail Hynes out.

in a weird way for me the better Hughes looks, the older Hall seems. If Hughes can continue to improve to be a stellar 18yr old, why would we want someone who's 28 and not really an iron man? Hughes, Hischier, Nico, Blackwood, .. Smith.. and this year's top 5 pick.. and whatever we get for Hall.
But then again, we go on a run and my opinion may change to keeping Hall as part of a group to win within the next 7 years.. which is a feasible thing too.
- MartysBetter88

Fair assessment. The guy is a stud, when he is healthy. His second best of his 3 seasons with us totaled just 53 points. Thats not great, especially since he has only topped that total 3 times in his 10 years!!!!

All that being said, If he was open to a 4-5 year deal in the area of 12M AAV, that would be OK in my books. But I agree that his age and health might not be a good fit in a couple of years time. Also, what "Contender" can afford this guy on an 8 year deal???? I just don't know where he thinks he can go and get paid while winning. Jersey will develop into a perennial contender in a year or two.

That's where I'm at too. I'm at peace with whatever happens, but this kind of distraction helps no one. Especially someone like Hughes.
- ryant601

Yeah. Let's just do something so we can stop having everyone and their parents talking about it.

Fair assessment. The guy is a stud, when he is healthy. His second best of his 3 seasons with us totaled just 53 points. Thats not great, especially since he has only topped that total 3 times in his 10 years!!!!

All that being said, If he was open to a 4-5 year deal in the area of 12M AAV, that would be OK in my books. But I agree that his age and health might not be a good fit in a couple of years time. Also, what "Contender" can afford this guy on an 8 year deal???? I just don't know where he thinks he can go and get paid while winning. Jersey will develop into a perennial contender in a year or two.
- bikeguy99

Who thought Toronto could afford JT?

Who thought Nashville would move P.K. to sign Duchene?

Who knows where Hall COULD end up?

And who cares. He’s been eligible to sign since July 1st. Obviously he’s not very motivated or interested because it doesn’t take long to say give me 8 years and a truck load of cash.

Who thought Toronto could afford JT?

Who thought Nashville would move P.K. to sign Duchene?

Who knows where Hall COULD end up?

And who cares. He’s been eligible to sign since July 1st. Obviously he’s not very motivated or interested because it doesn’t take long to say give me 8 years and a truck load of cash.
- Queenie_5_hole

Exactly where my head is at, We aren't in August anymore. Here is a guy who asked for talent, and talent was brought in... We are in a position of making that talent work together to produce wins. Most understood this would take some time, this shouldn't have come as a surprise to Hall.

This is a dangerous game of chicken, in my opinion, b/c one tweak of the knee and both the player and the team lose. If I am Shero, I get out of this relationship soon. I am sure he has given his agent a firm indication of term/money.

If we can get a nice return of youth/talent, then the unreal expectations of where we should be at in our rebuild go out the door with Hall. Keep PK and Palms, they are great leaders for the younger guys. Nico is here for 7 more years and Hughes should follow in suit. The future will still look great.

Who thought Toronto could afford JT?

Who thought Nashville would move P.K. to sign Duchene?

Who knows where Hall COULD end up?

And who cares. He’s been eligible to sign since July 1st. Obviously he’s not very motivated or interested because it doesn’t take long to say give me 8 years and a truck load of cash.
- Queenie_5_hole

Toronto couldn't afford JT. Thats why Nylander played half the season overseas, Marlaus salary was dumped at the expense of a 1st rd pick, and they had to watch Gardiner walk, and soon Muzzin and Barrie will follow. But I get what you mean, they made all that happen to acquire the star that they wanted. I was thinking of a current contender that just happens to have 11M Cap space. I guess Colorado is looking very promising for Cap, Canes as well.

Anyway, I knew Nashville was going to make a bold move to gain cap space. I had PK is being a contender, but admittedly believed that Turris would be traded along with a 1st rd and about 1M AAV retained, but that never happened. Not yet anyway. If they do that, Hall would certainly be on their radar.

Exactly where my head is at, We aren't in August anymore. Here is a guy who asked for talent, and talent was brought in... We are in a position of making that talent work together to produce wins. Most understood this would take some time, this shouldn't have come as a surprise to Hall.

This is a dangerous game of chicken, in my opinion, b/c one tweak of the knee and both the player and the team lose. If I am Shero, I get out of this relationship soon. I am sure he has given his agent a firm indication of term/money.

If we can get a nice return of youth/talent, then the unreal expectations of where we should be at in our rebuild go out the door with Hall. Keep PK and Palms, they are great leaders for the younger guys. Nico is here for 7 more years and Hughes should follow in suit. The future will still look great.
- ShoresideDevil

Was there any truth to that blog of the Avs going all in?

Exactly where my head is at, We aren't in August anymore. Here is a guy who asked for talent, and talent was brought in... We are in a position of making that talent work together to produce wins. Most understood this would take some time, this shouldn't have come as a surprise to Hall.

This is a dangerous game of chicken, in my opinion, b/c one tweak of the knee and both the player and the team lose. If I am Shero, I get out of this relationship soon. I am sure he has given his agent a firm indication of term/money.

If we can get a nice return of youth/talent, then the unreal expectations of where we should be at in our rebuild go out the door with Hall. Keep PK and Palms, they are great leaders for the younger guys. Nico is here for 7 more years and Hughes should follow in suit. The future will still look great.
- ShoresideDevil

Obviously I have no idea what Hall's agent might have said to Shero; BUT if Ray has any clear indication that Hall doesn't want to sign in NJ (and really that seems to be the case) then it only becomes more risky the longer Hall is on the roster.

IF he hurts his knee it kills his value for us trying to trade an injured player. BUT for Hall, he's likely still get a ton when he reaches free agency.

Also, Ray Ray has made better trades before the deadline then last minute. I also think the longer you are moving him for (and willing to retain salary now) the more he's worth.

Was there any truth to that blog of the Avs going all in?
- Leniwm1

No, not at all. They don't have a lot of cap space and a lot of players to re-sign/bring in.

No, not at all. They don't have a lot of cap space and a lot of players to re-sign/bring in.
- Pomegrant

Puck and Pitchforks had an idea of Hall to Montreal to reunite Hughs and Caufield

Obviously I have no idea what Hall's agent might have said to Shero; BUT if Ray has any clear indication that Hall doesn't want to sign in NJ (and really that seems to be the case) then it only becomes more risky the longer Hall is on the roster.

IF he hurts his knee it kills his value for us trying to trade an injured player. BUT for Hall, he's likely still get a ton when he reaches free agency.

Also, Ray Ray has made better trades before the deadline then last minute. I also think the longer you are moving him for (and willing to retain salary now) the more he's worth.
- Queenie_5_hole

I largely agree, but it’s also possible that there just aren’t good enough offers right now. Hall’s value is likely lower than usual at the moment. He’s been playing unusually sloppy lately, has only two goals on the season and seems to have rubbed many fans the wrong way in the last couple weeks. Just in the blogs and comments sections I look at, I think the talk around him has become noticeably more negative. That might make it look like the Devils are desperate to be rid of him, and result in lower offers.

It’s true there’s danger in him continuing to play, but if Shero doesn’t like the offers they’re getting and thinks offers would improve considerably if Hall could look like a stud for a couple weeks, I don’t mind him holding off on a trade, at least for another month or so.

I largely agree, but it’s also possible that there just aren’t good enough offers right now. Hall’s value is likely lower than usual at the moment. He’s been playing unusually sloppy lately, has only two goals on the season and seems to have rubbed many fans the wrong way in the last couple weeks. Just in the blogs and comments sections I look at, I think the talk around him has become noticeably more negative. That might make it look like the Devils are desperate to be rid of him, and result in lower offers.

It’s true there’s danger in him continuing to play, but if Shero doesn’t like the offers they’re getting and thinks offers would improve considerably if Hall could look like a stud for a couple weeks, I don’t mind him holding off on a trade, at least for another month or so.
- Sashamook

Good points. That’s the hard part of Ray’s job.