How long will the New Jersey Devil be able to wait with Taylor Hall?
Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet: The New Jersey Devils still plan on trying to re-sign pending unrestricted free agent Taylor Hall to a long-term contract extension.
There is no reason to believe at this point that they are considering any other options. What if their slide continues though?
At some point, the Devils may need to put a number on the table for Hall and see how he reacts to it.
Cam Lewis of Oilers Nation: Elliotte Friedman was on Sportsnet Tim and Sid and was talking about the Devils – Taylor Hall situation.
“The Devils know if they aren’t looking like a consistent playoff team, the chances of him staying are extremely unlikely. They know they have to get going. They made a pretty interesting move today behind the bench and they realize if it doesn’t change they’re going to have to start having conversations with other clubs.
It would not surprise me at all if Edmonton is a big suitor there. I don’t know if they can make a trade, if they have enough to make a deal, but it just wouldn’t surprise me. Put it this way, it has long been believed that if Edmonton had a chance to correct and bring him back, they would be interested. There’s a new GM there now, so we’ll see.”
31 Thoughts rumor roundup
Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet: The Pittsburgh Penguins are carrying nine defenseman. Coach Mike Sullivan has said the players may need to get used to the rotation. GM Jim Rurtherford has said that there “wasn’t much” of a trade market for his defenseman.
“We might stay with what he have until everyone gets healthy — see where we are then.”
Rutherford has made it clear that he’s not trading his 2020 1st round pick.
The Montreal Canadiens may be one team that looked at Penguins left-handed defenseman Juuso Riikola.
The Buffalo Sabres are looking to trade a defenseman as well.
Had thought that the Arizona Coyotes may look to add a defenseman after Niklas Hjalmarsson went out. A big move may not be likely due to where they sit with the cap when Hjalmarsson returns later this season.
The Carolina Hurricanes are still hoping the Justin Williams will decide to return, though it may run as late as around Christmas.