Dale Money | December 16th, 2019
The question of where Taylor Hall will land next continues, with a strong belief among many that Hall will be dealt to another club before the Christmas roster freeze. So far this season he has posted very adequate numbers, collecting 25 points in 30 games played which leads the New Jersey Devils.
Free Agency Looming
In order to keep his health and trade value intact, New Jersey chose to scratch Hall from the team’s past two contests. However, there were more than a few people that thought he had been traded. When it was learned Hall had flown back with the team to Newark after Saturdays win against the Arizona Coyotes, it caused plenty of speculation among the hot stoves.
What seems to be the real distraction in getting him moved, appears to be his current contract situation. As of now, he is playing out the final year at a six million dollar cap hit, he’ll become an unrestricted free agent next year. The Devils have not afforded teams permission to talk extension with Hall or agent Darren Ferris.
With teams not knowing whether or not they can sign Hall long term, it could end up putting a real spanner in the works. It’s been estimated he’ll most likely command around $9 to $10 million dollars a season for at least the next five years.
Arizona Coyotes?
There are estimated to be around half a dozen or so teams that are currently in play. With the Arizona Coyotes rumored as one of the more serious contenders for his services. The Coyotes look to have finally figured it out in the desert after years of struggles, their last playoff season being in 2011 when they advanced to the Conference finals. Currently, they sit tied for first in the Pacific Division with the Edmonton Oilers.
They added one of the bigger name snipers in Phil Kessel last June through trade. Unfortunately for them, Kessel has not quite panned out for them the way they’d like, he is fifth on the team in scoring as of now. Making the deal for Hall could be worth the investment, in my opinion. It would not only add another offensive weapon that could possibly help revive Kessel’s scoring touch, but it would aid in filling that hole on the left-wing.
The main question is what will it take for them to bring him to Arizona. According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, neither Barrett Hayton or Victor Soderstrom were included in their trade pitch to New Jersey. “From the information we’ve gathered, we don’t believe the Coyotes two top prospects, Barrett Hayton or Victor Soderstrom, are in that offer,” Friedman said during Headlines.
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