Taylor Hall of the Coyotes, a former Devil, would be the top prize as an unrestricted free agent. Credit: Getty Images/Christian Petersen
It’s been a long road to the meat of the NHL offseason, with seven teams having their seasons end way back when the COVID-19 pandemic forced a pause in play on March 12.
The Rangers were eliminated on Aug. 4, swept in the best-of-five qualifying series by the Hurricanes. The Islanders lasted until Sept. 17, bowing in six games to the Lightning in the Eastern Conference finals.
But a flurry of activity is upcoming even with no set date — or timeframe — for the 2020-21 season to begin.