New Jersey Devils: Devils fans should be concerned about recent Taylor Hall comments

The New Jersey Devils finally have their MVP player in Taylor Hall. They are just at the beginning of their championship window. However, Hall recently made comments that are concerning.

The New Jersey Devils, with Taylor Hall at the forefront of it, are just beginning what has the potential to be a Cup winning team. The Devils have a core that is still young and can only get better as the time goes on.

Even Taylor Hall, who is the reigning NHL MVP can still get better. His work is far from over in this league.

However, Hall recently made some comments about free agency in hockey. It is fair to agree with his comments to an extent.

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Here is an excerpt of what he recently said:

"“Teams are much more inclined to treat it as a business than the players are. I’m not sure if that’s going to change now or not. You saw John (Tavares) make a decision and I have a lot of respect for that.”"

Although the comments do not directly impact the Devils, or even seem to be about the Devils, the comments are concerning if you are a Devils fan.

What John Tavares did is fine by a lot of standards. He simply used his free agent right and used it to go where he wanted.

Hall, like Tavares, will have the opportunity to go to any team he chooses. Hall is an MVP player so maybe even more so than Tavares.

The thing that is really concerning is that Hall and the Devils do not have the same relationship that Tavares did with the Islanders.

Hall was not drafted by the Devils. He was acquired in a trade. Hall has also not been a Devil as long as Tavares was an Islander.

So, for Hall to come out and say he respects what Tavares did is fine. Maybe there is this dynamic and respect amongst players that we will never understand.

But, look at it this way. One day, Hall will have the exact same opportunities Tavares did. The only thing going for the Devils right now in terms of this situation is that Hall is not a free agent yet and has not once mentioned wanting to leave Jersey.

Also, the Devils do not nearly have the dysfunction that the Isles are getting themselves out of now.

So, yes, overall Hall has a better chance to remain more loyal to his team then Tavares ever was. But, Hall also said that loyalty is a two-way train.

To most fans, what Tavares did, basically stab an entire fan base in the back, is not ideal and was a move that sets the Isles back.

I’m not saying Hall is going to do what Tavares did and will go and play for his hometown Flames one day.

What I am saying is that Hall’s comment about what Tavares did is a little alarming. There is some reason for concern there.

Hopefully, it all works out and the Devils can one day pay Hall, Nico Hischier, and the whole gang.

Tavares leaving the Isles was a move that set a new standard for the NHL in terms of showing players that they should not owe their teams anything. Hall might end up having the same mindset

There is a big difference between the circumstances. After all, they are still two different people and have different careers.

I respect Taylor’s honesty in this situation. It is a breath of fresh air to have a player not constantly say what needs to be heard all the time.

But, at the end of the day, Hall opened to door to one day leaving the Devils in those comments. Whether that is intentional or not is to be determined.

Next. Three things to expect from the Devils this year. dark

But, either way, Taylor Hall is a really good player. So is John Tavares. Really good players will always get their money. Keep that in mind.

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