Which team will trade for Taylor Hall?
From the Sportsnet.ca staff: The opinions are varied here and so is the rationale. Rory Boylen has Hall going to the Colorado Avalanche. Sonny Sachdeva has the forward headed to the Montreal Canadiens. Emily Sadler pegs Hall to be acquired by the Dallas Stars.
Boylen alludes to Colorado needing a second line and what it may cost as far as compensation. Sachdeva tosses in a nod to Montreal with their cap space and that Hall would be their best winger. Sadler talks about Dallas and how much fun it would be to see Hall and Seguin together. Clearing space would be tough but Jim Nill has not been shy about going after big talent.
Why Colorado should not pursue Taylor Hall?
Adrian Dater of Colorado Hockey NOW: The intriguing theory is that Colorado may arguably be good enough without Hall. There are more obvious reasons too. The biggest one may be the salary cap. If Colorado extended Hall for $9 million AAV, how does one pay Gabriel Landeskog in two years? The Avalanche arguably have enough top-six talent to avoid plugging in a first-line winger into a second-line role.
If the cost is Conor Timmins or higher, it seems like Colorado should abstain. The price may boil down to him and picks in what could be a four-piece deal.
Why Boston should not pursue Taylor Hall?
Joe Haggerty of NBC Sports Boston: It comes down to two things again. What package would it cost and how would Boston extend Hall? If Hall and his agent give no assurances, then a trade will be deemed a steep price to pay. Any deal with New Jersey will involve a first-round draft pick in some form.
After that, there is a salary cap impact. Boston shelling out potentially $8-9 million AAV on Hall while not addressing other needs — Torey Krug etc. would be foolish. Rick Nash was one lesson Boston does not want to repeat.
