Saturday, 4:45 PM: The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta reports that the Arizona Coyotes are the lead candidate to acquire Hall with a potential trade coming soon.
Saturday, 9:45 AM: Sportsnet’s Elliott Friedman reports that Hall is expected to be held out of the lineup again tonight, as the Devils ironically face another of his top suitors in the Arizona Coyotes. This should not come as any surprise. If talks had grown serious enough to sit Hall last night, they were not likely to fall apart to the point that the Devils would be comfortable playing him tonight. In all likelihood, Hall has played his final game as a Devil. A trade may not be “imminent”, as the team denied, but it is certainly coming in short time.
Friday: As if there wasn’t rampant Taylor Hall trade speculation already, the New Jersey Devils had to turn the drama up to soap opera levels on Friday night. After taking part in warm-ups, Hall was announced as a late scratch just minutes before puck drop. The team would only state that the decision was due to “precautionary” reasons.
It’s hard to believe that this is health related, as Hall has played in all 30 games with the Devils this season without a hitch. Hall has struggled with injury issues throughout his career, but there has been no report of any lingering injuries of late. Nor has there been a report any incident occurring during warm-ups that could have changed the status quo. This seems to be a team decision made completely independent of Hall’s health.
And who would Hall have been set to square off against tonight? None other than the Colorado Avalanche, the team considered the heavy favorites to land Hall’s services. It’s not as though the Avs need to scout the 2018 Hart Trophy winner. Hall is an established NHL star, scoring at a point-per-game pace or better pace in four of his nine pro seasons, including his 93-point MVP campaign. If Colorado was closing in on a deal for Hall, they would likely rather he sit than risk himself against what could soon be his own teammates.
Of course, that line of thinking is challenged by both teams dismissing the idea that a trade has been made. Devils team officials have made it clear that Hall’s scratch is not related to an impending trade. Meanwhile, sources close to the Avalanche say that the team is not acting as if there is anything in the works. TSN’s Pierre LeBrun believes that the offers for Hall are getting serious enough to warrant his benching, but stops short of saying that any team is close enough to get a deal done. Yet, isn’t it convenient that Hall was a “precautionary” scratch on Friday night against the club considered to be his biggest suitor …
Expect an announcement of a trade tommorow.
After the reports surface that Hall is staying in Colorado after the game tonight.
Devs’ twitter page doesn’t say anything about that…yet… (11:27PM ET)
I don’t know. It doesn’t seem to me that Colorado is as serious about aquiring him as people think. It doesn’t seem like there’s a whole hell of a lot of benefit to the move from the Avs standpoint.
The Yotes and Isles need Hall more than the Avs. I wouldn’t count them out. Maybe the Habs, too.
As a Devils fan, there are only 2 prospects I want. Either Byram from Colorado or Knight from Florida. Anyone else will be a disappointment
I saw a guy toss out Jost, Timins and 2 seconds. That sounds about right.
He’s a rental that few teams can afford and is intent on going to market. No way Shero’s getting back a blue chip prospect and no one is better at hockey larceny than him.
Keep hearing Arizona. Soderstrom and a first and second?
Soderstrom, a 1st and 2nd is an overpay for 2 months of a guy having a down year.
In order for Ray to maximize his return he absolutely needs to target only those teams that Taylor is interested in long-term. If none of them can make it happen until the off-season, he’ll be a rental somewhere. That team would be ill-advised to overpay for a couple of months of much needed production. I agree with @forwhomjoshbelltolls that the Ky-Yoots, Isles & Habs could all be reasonable destinations as a rental, but I’m not seeing any of them as long-term spots. That said, I’d give the nod to the Isles as the best chance, thanks to the Barry Trotz factor. Still wouldn’t be shocked to see him take a 2-year bridge until the cap jumps.
Will he play for Arizona tonight since Devil’s are playing Coyotes tonight. Wouldn’t it be nice Christmas gift for Hall to score against his former team tonight the Devil’s , Merry Christmas to everyone.
G! You just dropped a *bag* of coal into the Devs’ Christmas stocking! ;)
Mac that one was better than my other fantasy a possible first in NHL , start period one as Devil, they make trade for a Coyote player , they change uniforms between periods and Hall is a Coyote, since I don’t drink , can’t accuse me of spiking the eggnog. Merry Christmas
Good One, Randy!!!
Just had an epiphany! Taylor gets traded at the first intermission and comes out as the notorious referee…Enrico Pallazzo!
that would be cool take care.
I don’t see a huge market for Hall this summer. Reports say he’ll want 9-10 a year over 7 years. Big mistake for the 29 year old Hall.
There is a referee named Corey Syvret who worked the Chicago vs. St. Louis who is a former minor league hockey player now carrying a whistle not a stick
link to hockeydb.com
Arizona needs scoring desperately. But at what cost? They need to keep the few quality prospects / players they have. Hall will not sign in AZ and I don’t see him alone improving AZ’s shot at a Cup. So I would pass in him unless the price was right.