The New Jersey Devils may be sweating over the future of Taylor Hall a bit more.

Hall’s contract status has been one of the main talking points thus far in the early days of the new season. The 27-year-old is set to become an unrestricted free agent, unless he and the Devils agree to an extension.

However, that is looking bleak from New Jersey’s perspective.

“I think the Devils now know it’s unlikely they are going to be able to get a contract done during the year,” said Elliotte Friedman during the Headlines segment on Hockey Night in Canada on Saturday.

“I think it’s up to (Devils GM) Ray Shero who is going to have to decide what the Devils’ course of action here is going to be, because I think it’s very unlikely he agrees to sign with them during the year.”

The former MVP, who is represented by Darren Ferris, might be following a similar trend to some of Ferris’ other clients.

“His history is he tells his clients ‘I don’t believe you should sign until as late as possible so you can get an idea of what the true market is for your services’ and I have no reason to believe that his advice to Taylor Hall is any different in this particular situation,” Friedman explained.

Despite New Jersey’s struggles this season, Hall has recorded two goals and 12 assists in 15 games for the Devils so far.