Why would the Devils take a bad team, move their best piece, and make their team even worse. Unless they are tanking for Lafreniere who could replace Hall.

If they can’t get their footing which means they’re favorites for the draft lottery. If they’re at the bottom of the league at the trade deadline. Hall doesn’t want to sign with New Jersey either and if they’re loosing he especially won’t want to, so they may as well get something for him.

Include Cal Foote in the trade so the title is a creative pun

I think the value is right. 1st 2nd prospect.
Honestly it's probably a 2nd to high. I only see him getting a 1st and prospect that's pretty solid.

But I don't think you convince them to take Paquette.
They don't need to take him back. They have no use for a guy with term. I don't see them wanting a cap dump.
That's my only issue with this. They can take the expiring contract. But no need for the other one.

Hall a friggen rental to Tampa .. not a match .. Hall should go to team to give him 8 years 80M at trade

Obviously Hall would be a rental, but if he wants to explore the UFA market and knows he doesn’t want to be with the Devils anymore, and the Devils want to tank for another high pick, renting him at the deadline seems great for all sides (although the Lightning would regret this if they didn’t win a Cup).