Devils general manager Ray Shero said trading winger Taylor Hall to the Coyotes on Monday wasn't related to whether or not the team could sign the pending free agent to a long-term extension.

"No. To paint that picture where he didn't want to play here or asked for a trade or demanded a contract ... that wasn't the reality, nor is it that he didn't want to potentially play here or that we didn't want to sign him," said Shero, who pointedly said that Hall "never turned down any offers" from the Devils.