5 potential trade targets for New Jersey Devils’ Taylor Hall

2. Montreal Canadiens

After missing the Stanley Cup playoffs the past two years, Montreal is ready to win and execute a power move to make sure success comes sooner rather than later.

The draft picks are there for Montreal to spare and the Habs have top prospects that New Jersey would find appealing. In fact, the Canadiens have 12 picks lined up for the 2020 NHL Entry Draft – three of which are before the third round.

Would Devils general manager Ray Shero prefer not to trade the 2018 Hart Trophy winner to an Eastern Conference foe? More than likely not.

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Still, if the right deal is present – take it. The trade would make sense for both sides in comparison to other potential trade partners, especially for a Montreal squad who’s one or two additions away from taking that next step as a legitimate Cup contender.

Yes, the Devils would take interest in acquiring a first-round pick, perhaps a defenseman and then a top prospect. Montreal has a well-regarded, but unsigned young prospect in Cole Caufield. The forward was selected 15th overall at the 2019 draft and also laced up the skates with Jack Hughes on the United States National Development Program.

Another name that would interest New Jersey is 2018 third-overall pick, Jesperi Kotkaniemi. No, the Devils wouldn’t acquire both Caufield and Kotkaniemi, but either would be a nice addition if the team were to ship away Hall.

This hockey enthusiast doesn’t see Jonathan Drouin in the mix, but perhaps Phillip Danault is another aspect added to a potential trade between the Devils and Canadiens.