Cons to trading for Taylor Hall
Perhaps the biggest stumbling block to any potential trade for Taylor Hall would be the fact that the Golden Knights are currently in salary cap hell.
With already less than $1million of cap space to play with against the projected cap of $83 million for 2019-20, Vegas don’t have a lot of wriggle room when it comes to bolstering their roster with fresh faces.
In order to facilitate what would be a blockbuster trade for Hall, the Knights would have to put together a substantial package involving some key assets in a bid to create cap space.
William Karlsson, who enters this offseason as a restricted free agent, Colin Miller and one of Jonathan Marchessault and Reilly Smith would more than likely have to be included as part of any potential trade.
Would that be too steep a price to pay? You would have to edge towards arguing yes given the level of offensive production Karlsson, Marchessault and Smith have brought to the party for Vegas over the last two years.
Also, with a current cap hit of $6 million as part of the eight-year deal signed with the Edmonton Oilers back in 2012, Hall will be in line for a significant payday and, even if the Golden Knights could somehow pull a miracle out of the bag and get a deal done, they would have very little left in the bank to be able to fill any remaining holes on the roster.
Hall has one year left on his current deal and will become an unrestricted free agent on July, 1 2020 if he doesn’t sign an extension with the Devils after July, 1 of this year. That means he wouldn’t be guaranteed to remain with any team he’s traded to should that happen, making it a massive risk for any franchise interested in obtaining his services.
Another factor to consider is Hall’s health. As already mentioned, he missed 49 games in 2018-19 and underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in February.
He also had surgery on his left knee during the 2016-17 season to repair a torn meniscus, which raises some concern over the left-wing’s long-term condition.
Two surgeries in quick succession on the same knee is bound to cause some wear and tear down the road, but the truth is we won’t know whether or not Hall’s natural game which is based on speed, skill and raw power has been hampered until he’s able to get back on the ice and compete.
Only time will tell but Hall’s injury history will no doubt act as a red flag for front offices should he become available in a trade.