I still think Hall is waiting to see how this team keeps doing. If they can pull off a winning streak and realistically look like they have a shot in the playoffs he signs a deal.
If we do a big tailspin on the rest of this road trip and proceed to come home and lose some more games, he'll be gone and maybe even traded before Thanksgiving.
Shero has shown that he doesn't just let bigger name UFAs walk for nothing so worst case scenario this drags on to the trade deadline and if he doesn't sign by then he'll be gone.
I still don't think this team is a playoff team but if they can somehow win 2 out of the next 3 games on this trip who knows.
Only issue is, you can't let this drag. Yes, it's still early in the season and they could go on a big winning streak and took like they are playoff bound next couple of months, but what if Hall gets hurt then walks?
We CAN'T lose this guy for nothing. We're in a much better shape now than we were when we lost Parise and Kovy, but you can't risk losing hall for nothing at all.
I think Hall knows if he wants to stay or test UFA. Seems like he wants to test UFA which is his right, but Shero has to do what is best for the Devils.
I've said this before, outside of a couple of teams(Colorado) who can realistically afford to pay Hall what he's probably worth as a UFA and promise guaranteed playoff appearances? Picking and choosing where you go does not always equal automatic success and playoff appearances.
Regardless of what happens, this situation is getting more media attention and I hope one way or another this doesn't drag on much longer.
The Devils will be fine and in the end, Hall being traded could be best for the Devils(especially based on where we end up in the standings and what players/picks we get for Hall)