According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, the chances of the New Jersey Devils signing Taylor Hall to a contract extension during the season are slim, at best.
"I think the Devils now know it's unlikely they are going to be able to get a contract done during the year,” said Friedman during the Headlines segment on Hockey Night in Canada on Saturday.
“I think it's up to (Devils GM) Ray Shero who is going to have to decide what the Devils' course of action here is going to be, because I think it's very unlikely he agrees to sign with them during the year.”
If that is the case, it seems the best option for the Devils would be to trade Hall at the deadline to ensure a return for him, rather than risk losing him for nothing at the end of the season. The The 27-year-old is set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1st, 2020 and can sign wherever he pleases. Friedman believes Hall's agent, Darren Ferris, will convince him to wait as long as possible before signing anything.
“His history is he tells his clients ‘I don't believe you should sign until as late as possible so you can get an idea of what the true market is for your services' and I have no reason to believe that his advice to Taylor Hall is any different in this particular situation,” Friedman explained.
Despite the fact New Jersey is struggling this season, Hall has 14 points in 15 games, including two goals.
