I'm not a big Johnny Gaudreau fan and NJ's top 6 is tiny enough as is but I think the Devils have to accept that

Flames could get more in the trade suggested here IMO.

Johnny Gaudreau is worth more then Damon Severson+3rd round pick, And even if Hall goes home to Calgary doubt he takes anything less then 7 x 9m

CBO Lucic and keep Gaudreau and that offense would be SCARY

Gaudreau - Monahan - Tkachuk
Hall - Backlund - Lindholm

Who do you play at D lol?

Smith making the jump next year + sign a FA who can play defence.

You can get more than that for Johnny Hockey IMO, Although I do like the fit of Severson in Calgary.
Honest question though...Is replacing Gaudreau with Hall make the flames that much better?

I don't think Hall > Johnny Hockey... It seems more like a lateral move but lots of rumors out there say Hall wants to come home and it wouldn't surprise me if they brought him in and kicked Gaudreau out; especially because they like Mangipane... This was just what I believe would be the scenario for the Flames if the rumors were true. Honestly, even if they weren't going to for Hall; Severson is the kind of RHD the flames could use and if Gaudreau were to go somewhere, NJD would be a great fit for him. The devils could use a strong LW with term and youth to help guys like Hughes, Hischeir, Palmieri, Gusev, Zacha; it would give them a strong top 6 offense to build on. I would have done Gaudreau for Severson + 1st seeing that NJD have 3 picks this year but given how deep the draft is this year, I couldn't realistically see them giving up a pick that good with a RHD who not only has a great contract, is young but also is a solid RHD.

Flames would not do this trade