Reports emerged on Monday suggesting that Taylor Hall wants out of the New Jersey Devils. Are the Vegas Golden Knights in a position to make a blockbuster move?
According to The Fourth Period, Taylor Hall isn’t interested in signing an extension with the Devils ahead of becoming a free agent after 2019-20, news which would have pricked up the ears of the Vegas Golden Knights and 29 other teams in the NHL.
It is important to note, however, that both New Jersey General Manager Ray Shero and Hall’s agent, Darren Ferris have denied the reports.
It is unclear what exactly the truth is at the moment but, we know one thing for certain, he would certainly add a plethora of star power to the Vegas Golden Knights and any other team in the NHL.
Could it be done though? We all love a bit of mischief making and this is speculation season after all with the 2019 NHL Entry Draft and free agency both rapidly approaching.
We’ll discuss the logistics of any potential trade later but, for now, let’s delve into the background of these reports and Hall himself.
Firstly, it probably shouldn’t come as a surprise that Hall is feeling less than enthusiastic about the direction the Devils are heading in if that is indeed the case.
After making the playoffs for the first time since 2011-12 last year, New Jersey regressed in spectacular fashion this season and finished with the third-worst record in the entire NHL, above the Los Angeles Kings and the Ottawa Senators.
That in part was down to the absence of Hall, who missed 49 games because of a knee injury that ultimately ended his 2018-19 season prematurely.
He had 37 points (11 goals and 26 assists) in 33 games before injury derailed his progress, robbing the Devils of their biggest and most potent offensive weapon.
It had a devastating impact and why wouldn’t it? Hall sits in the upper echelon of the NHL’s elite and was crowned the winner of the Hart Memorial Trophy in 2017-18 after a stunning year that saw the left-shot tally 39 goals and 54 assists for 93 points in 76 games.
He had two goals and four assists for six points in the postseason as the Devils eventually fell to the Tampa Bay Lightning, but the bar was set in terms of what this New Jersey team could achieve.
However, they fell way short of expectations this year and that has now led to suggestions Hall could look for a way out if the front office doesn’t act and add more firepower to this roster.
Of course, the Devils have the No.1 pick in this year’s draft and they will have the luxury of being able to choose between Jack Hughes or Kaapo Kakko to build a Stanley Cup contending team around.
New Jersey are projected to have around $35,603,334 of cap space for 2019-20 so they will enter the offseason armed with a bucketload of cash which they can splash in what will be a star-laden free agency class.
They have a slew of holes on the roster they need to fill, which will need plugging with quality and tried and tested players if they are to keep their best asset in New Jersey for the long-term.
Back to Hall and a potential blockbuster trade, though. Could the Vegas Golden Knights be in a position to add yet another potent weapon to their offensive juggernaut of a forward core?
We’ve looked at both the pros and the cons of any potential trade involving Taylor Hall, but it is important to keep in mind that this is just a bit of fun – we are by no means saying that a trade involving Taylor Hall and the Vegas Golden Knights could definitely happen.