In some ways, Taylor Hall and what might become of the former Hart Trophy winner in the coming days or weeks is a microcosm of every facet of the game.



The intricacies of building a winning team, the disappointment when you suffer setbacks, the steps you take to recover from those setbacks, the management of the salary cap and just where and how much of that precious money is best invested. All of these are factors that the New Jersey Devils and the many suitors for Hall’s services are going to have to come to grips with.



We surveyed a number of current and former NHL executives about what will unfold in New Jersey where the Devils came into the season looking to challenge for a playoff berth but now are almost certainly going to be a draft lottery team again, putting them in Oilers territory having had the first overall pick twice in the past three seasons.



This week the Devils fired head coach John Hynes after a 7-1 loss to Buffalo and then...