MONTREAL – Erik Karlsson has gone through it. Max Pacioretty as well.



Now, it’s Taylor Hall’s turn.



The date when a star player can sign a contract extension — a date that is one year away from when he can hit unrestricted free agency — has become the primary pressure point in the negotiation process of late. That pressure led to Karlsson and Pacioretty being traded by the Ottawa Senators and Montreal Canadiens, but Hall sees no reason why he should be thrown in the same boat.



With reports surfacing this week about Hall not being prepared to sign a new contract with the New Jersey Devils as soon as he’s eligible to on July 1, he is feeling confused as to why this is massive news.



It is partially because of how the Karlsson and Pacioretty situations played out, but Hall said on Tuesday that their cases in no way influence how his own deal with the Devils will play out.



In other words, the fact Hall is not...