After several weeks of conjecture, the New Jersey Devils did what everyone expected and traded winger Taylor Hall.
The return for the former Hart Trophy winner – three prospects, a conditional first-round pick in 2020 and a conditional third in 20201 – drew lukewarm reviews from fans and pundits. However, Devils general manager Ray Shero had little choice.
Hall, 28, is slated to become an unrestricted free agent in July. Given his reluctance to sign a contract extension, and the Devils’ playoff hopes rapidly fading, Shero opted to get the best possible return now, rather than let the situation drag out until the Feb.