Deadline deal with NJ

If NJ is in the playoff picture why trade Hall? He’ll probably be one of the biggest reasons theyre even in a playoff spot so trading him will kinda defeat whatever theyre trying to accomplish

1,000 reasons this deal wouldn't happen....here are a few...

(1) If NJD is in playoff running, Hall would undoubtedly stay.
(2) NJD has Hischier, Hughes up the middle...but I guess Hughes could go to a wing.
(3) Hall is not a center...is LW.
(4) NJD would not deal their future goalie for a short-term back-up (if they did, there would have to be another piece going back to NJD)
(5) 1.5 years of Zack Smith has little value
(6) NJD would want at least Mark Stone return if they are dealing Hall with extension (ie Adam Boqvist, mid-6 forward, pick)

If NJ is in the playoff picture, it will be in spite of goaltending. So if they can shore that up with Lehner and get Strome to replace Hall it makes the team better. I guess I also should have listed the assumption that Hall doesn't want to commit to stay in NJ even with the improved team. They get a future 1st which is better than nothing with Hall leaving as a UFA. They also have an extension with a real goalie and can give Strome a long term deal as an RFA.

1) I dont think Hall undoubtedly wants to stay in NJ. Lots of risk losing him for nothing.
2) Hughes 1 Strome 2 Hischier 3. What's the problem there?
3) Hall is a LW, but can play center. He's played there before.
4) Is Blackwood really the future? If, so that's sad. However, if he is a not tradeable, then just pull him from the deal. Chicago doesn't need him in this deal as they have Delia to be the backup.
5) Smith being included is to do the deal and keep Chicago under the cap. He admittedly has very little value.
6) Stone deal wasn't all that huge. I would say Strome is every bit as valuable, actually more, than Brannstrom. This deal is way better return than Brannstrom, Oscar F'ing Lindberg, and a 2nd.

(1) If NJD is in the playoff picture in 2019-20, he will likely play through season (not his choice). Where he goes after that is his call.
(2) Nothing wrong with that, as long there are decent wings on the roster. NJD also has Zacha, Zajac as 3C, 4C (Mike McLeod on his way, Rooney, Coleman with Center experience). They are already deep up the middle. They need scoring wings after Hall/Palmaeri. Jespers Bratt and Boqvist will be good, but could use someone who can bury the puck.
(3) Hall hasn’t played Center in years. And when he did, it was short-term and hurt his production.
(4) Blackwood was great last season (better than Hart). He is very much part of the future. Devils goaltending woes came from Kincaid and Schneider when he was still recovering. Schneider did very well in 2nd half...and at Worlds.
(5) Taking a cap dump from Chicago should increase the return for NJD.
(6) in this case, it would need to be better than Stone deal because (a) Hall is better than Stone, (b) you are including a future starting goalie, (c) you are including a cap dump.