Where we are with Taylor Hall now

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It is July 11, 2019 and we are where we were back in my last post about Taylor Hall and that is he is still is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent next Summer on July 1 at Noon ET. With the history New Jersey has had in losing big name players under Lou Lamoriello, fans obviously are in a state of panic. Lamoriello already had this experience with his NY Islanders when they lost John Tavares for nothing in free agency last Summer to Toronto, but Lou was new on the job.

Yesterday, during the teams developmental camp, Head Coach John Hynes mentioned Hall is 100% all in on the season with the Devils despite the contract uncertainty. The big question is, what does GM Ray Shero think or how he is going to approach the situation? As mentioned above, the key for Hall and the Devils is to not get TAVARES-ed. Meaning, if he does not sign an extension by training camp, the best route to go is to trade him for heavy assets of roster players, prospects and likely a 1st and 2nd round pick. Tavares always gave the Islanders the impression he was staying, but ultimately it was a lead on. Hall is speaking on the same wavelength as well.

Shero, Hall and his agent Darren Ferris have been in constant contact this off-season, but no offer has yet to be made. A lot of it has to do with Shero still trying to take care of the restricted free agents to avoid arbitration with Mueller, Butcher and Carrick. At some point talks will have to get more serious with the Hart Trophy Winner in 2018. Hall has been very happy as to how Shero improved the roster with the additions of #1 overall pick Jack Hughes, former Norris Trophy winning defenseman P.K. Subban and winger Wayne Simmonds. However, Shero reportedly is not done adding and still might have a move or two up his sleeve.

Hall obviously wanted Shero to improve the team after a lackluster Summer of 2018. Now the question is, how satisfied is he? Simmonds is only signed for 1 year, which has a lot to do with the possible next contract for Hall. Subban has 3 years left with cap hit of $9M. However, the likes of Andy Greene and Sami Vatanen come off the books after this season. I believe talks will get serious sometime later this month and we should get a very good idea where we are in a few short weeks. It appears the team is ok with Hall being unsigned to start the season, but I think the best route to go if that is the case is a trade. 

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