The New Jersey Devils have made some real improvements to the roster this offseason, drafting Jack Hughes first overall, trading for P.K. Subban and signing Wayne Simmonds in the span of just a few days. It certainly sounds like more is coming though as at a press conference to introduce Subban, Devils’ owner Josh Harris told the media that the team is “not done” and that GM Ray Shero is “wheeling and dealing.”
Obviously what exactly they’re planning remains unclear, but the Devils are certainly in a position to do a lot of things this summer. The team still has to re-sign restricted free agents Pavel Zacha and Will Butcher, but even after taking on Subban’s huge contract the team still has nearly $17MM in cap space. That’s even more impressive when you realize that they have several young players like Michael McLeod, Jesper Boqvist and Ty Smith who may end up making the club while still on their entry-level contracts. If New Jersey is looking to spend up to the cap ceiling this year they could still add several substantial pieces.
The question is do they want to sacrifice some of their future to get better right now. Star forward Taylor Hall is only signed for the upcoming season, and the team actually has just a single player—Damon Severson—signed past 2021-22. While Hughes, Nico Hischier and others represent a great core to build around, there may not be a need to spend right now if they aren’t going to also keep some of their more veteran assets. In fact, considering that a Hall and Hischier will both need new contracts next summer the risk of taking on too much salary in any trade is a real one.
Still, you have to think that Shero is checking in on ways to improve in the short-term even if only to convince Hall to stick around. There are obvious fits for names like Nikita Gusev, Jason Zucker and Chris Kreider who have all been included in trade speculation over the last few months, but whether the Devils will actually go after any of them is still not clear.
At the very least, Harris’ confidence that the team will make a move of some sort gives the hockey world another team to watch over the coming weeks. As arbitration dates come and go, the dog days of summer are just around the corner where hockey news is difficult to come by.
Totally just a random thought, not based in reality at all really…but if Hall won’t stay when it comes to FA, would a deal with Toronto work? Hall for Marner. Not sure which side would need to add, but the Devils can lock Mitch up on a big contract, the Leafs get a solid replacement for Marner at a 6 million cap hit for this year, and leaves room for the Leafs to add another RHD. What kind of contract does Hall get as a FA? 10 million per? If he’d take 8 years x 8-9 million per year, I think the Leafs can make that work.
Hall just wants to see the Devils make moves to be potential winners. They have done that this off-season. While I personally as a Devils fan think its a mistake to stop here, and they should go get Gusev or something else with significant upside on offense to deepen those lines (injury is always a problem when you think you’re set), they could realistically hold pat until Hall signs long-term. They should also sign Gardiner and wave at the Rangers… (Hi Trouba / Panarin!)
I’m also with you. Hall is a great player who has won an MVP, but I’m not sold he’s a perennial MVP contender (aka Crosby, McDavid, etc.) If 10 mil in cap space is the hit, I think the Devils have to pass. Teams don’t usually do well trying to build around 10+ million contracts (with a few exceptions, obviously).
I also think though, trading Hall anticipating he doesn’t sign is a mistake as well. This guy fits with what they are building. Marner may or may not. But I could respect if they don’t want to max out the cap unsure of Hall’s future. This may be the current hold-up in them jumping in and signing Gardiner and trading for Gusev, which to me, makes too much sense if they can get it done. Just slot them in and go be champions if Schneider and Blackwood can hold it down. I think that combinations spells a Metro Division championship, and our division is pretty deep this season.
Nice idea on paper, but what are the odds that Marner would be willing to sign in NJ? That could be a big sticking point. Looking on CapFriendly.com, it seems like Hall’s contract has a typo or two: NO NMCs/NTCs? Doesn’t seem like anybody has “easy to move” contracts now. You have to admit, if Dubas gets him signed by around the start of the season, then there wouldn’t be any point in trading him, but it might make a bunch of Leafs fans giddy if Willy Ny the Coaster Guy got punted out, instead. Gotta hand it to you, @cjmask, I like the creativeness in this idea…
Lol Taylor Hall is so worth 10 million, he’s a game breaker.
Get that Leafs trade trash outta here
Yeah. A30 yr old for a 22 yr old. Stupid
Who is 30? Hall is 27 and may be more reasonable on a contract negotiation. A 8 year deal takes him to age 35, getting up there, but that may bring his overall AAV down to a more reasonable rate compared to Marners apparent demand of 11 million+. It’s an outside the box idea, that’s all. NJ can offer sheet Marner too and give up a 4 first round picks.
Marner is also a game breaker and is 5 years younger, putting him more in line with the rest of the core NJ is trying to build around.
Taylor Hall averages something like 64 games a season. If he asks for anything north of 9 i walk away laughing. Maybe something that touches 10 with games played bonuses. But no way more than 9 base.
Hall is going to leave,should trade him now and get the best deal and if I were Devils I would trade him,HE NOT GOING TO STAY
Willy Ny the Coaster Guy. Priceless :)