New Jersey Devils forward Taylor Hall was scratched from the lineup before taking on the Colorado Avalanche on Friday night.

According to the team, Hall is being held out of the lineup as a "precaution." Hall did take part in the warm-ups prior to the game.

TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun says there is some traction in trade talks that the Devils are having with some teams so the risk is not worth playing him at the moment.

TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie weighed in on the situation later on Friday evening.

Hall has six goals and 25 points in 30 games with the Devils this season and is the subject of increasing trade speculation. He was limited to 33 games last season due to a knee injury, posting 11 goals and 37 points.

The 28-year-old won the Hart Trophy in 2018 after scoring a career-high 39 goals and 93 points in 76 games and leading the Devils to a playoff berth. He posted 41 points more than the team’s next leading scorer that season.

A pending unrestricted free agent, Hall carries a $6 million cap hit in the final season of a seven-year deal signed with the Edmonton Oilers in 2012.

The Avalanche beat the Devils 3-1 on Friday night, dropping New Jersey's record to 9-17-5.