Should John Chayka and the Arizona Coyotes trade for Taylor Hall?
By Jim Lynch
Taylor Hall will be on the move soon. I do not think anyone will deny that fact. Where he will hand is yet to be determined, one possibility is our very own Arizona Coyotes.
The Arizona Coyotes have been rocking things so far this season. They are currently first in the Pacific Division with a 19-11-4 record this season. Arizona is just two points above Edmonton for first in the division, although it is nice to be on top it is a long season.
Edmonton is led by stars like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Those two stars have put up crazy numbers so far this season. That in itself is enough to convince me that the Coyotes should take a run at trading for Taylor Hall.
Arizona is going to need a leader to help score goals later in the year. Yes, they brought in Phil Kessel, but Kessel has not really proven himself yet. Maybe by adding Hall, the team can take another step forward in their leadership.
Hall, a former first overall pick, would instantly step into the top line of the Coyotes. He has 25 points so far this season, all on one of the worst teams in the league now. Imagine what will happen if Hall played on the same line with Nick Schmaltz and Christian Dvorak. The team would instantly improve and Hall would be sparked to new levels with the Coyotes young players.
Maybe if the Coyotes play Hall on the same line as Phil Kessel they can rekindle Kessel’s old scoring ability. Hall is just two years from being rewarded the Hart trophy in 2017-18, Hall put up 39 goals and 54 assists to help the Devils make the playoffs that season. If Arizona wants to succeed this spring they will need the help of a playmaker like Hall. Just watch some of Hall’s highlights from his Hart trophy season.
The only real issue I have with the Coyotes acquiring Hall is that they will have to give up someone to acquire him. Our sister site Pucks and Pitchforks, has detailed 3 players the Coyotes would maybe trade to acquire Taylor Hall.
Fans need to realize that if we are going to get Hall we are going to have to give up some talented assets. Arizona has a slew of prospects and picks stored from their last few seasons of playoff woes. If we are truly going to buy into the playoffs, we might as well acquire a player like Hall and gamble on whether he will re-sign with the team later.
Hall is currently being healthy scratched with the Devils in the hopes that he will be traded soon. It makes sense in my opinion, as keeping Hall out is better for the team. If he gets hurt, Hall’s trade value would drop instantly.
It is up to John Chayka to make a deal to acquire Hall. Would you want to see him added or would you rather see them move forward with their current group?