5 teams positioned well to trade for Taylor Hall
The Taylor Hall sweepstakes are officially underway, and they may not be here long.
The pending unrestricted free agent sat out New Jersey's most recent game Friday and he's expected to do so again Saturday. It appears the former Hart Trophy winner has played his last game with the Devils.
Here are the five teams with the best chances of landing the superstar forward.
Colorado Avalanche
Record: 21-8-3 (1st in Central)
Cap space this season: $6.4M
Projected 2020-21 cap space: $23.6M
No team is in a better position to land Hall and his $6-million cap hit. The Avalanche check off all the boxes: They are Stanley Cup contenders, hold the necessary draft pick capital, boast a prospect pipeline bursting with talent, and have ample cap space this season and moving forward for a possible extension.
Colorado may be the best team in the NHL, and the addition of Hall would turn it into the clear Cup favorite. He could suit up alongside Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen on the top line or anchor a second line with Nazem Kadri and one of Joonas Donskoi or Andre Burakovsky. Either way, the Avs would become a legitimate nightmare for opponents.
Whether the Devils are looking for forward or defense help, the Avs have it. Forwards Shane Bowers (acquired from the Senators in the Matt Duchene trade) and Martin Kaut are both former first-round picks. If the Avalanche refuse to part with 2019 fourth overall pick Bowen Byram, they could dangle blue-liner Conor Timmins, the 32nd selection in 2017, as a part of a big package.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Record: 18-10-4 (3rd in Metropolitan)
Cap space this season: $1.5M
Projected 2020-21 cap space: $22.75M
Don't put anything past Jim Rutherford.
The Penguins are enjoying an outstanding season so far despite having both Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin in the lineup for just six of the team's 32 games. Don't be surprised if the savvy, veteran general manager makes a splash to give his squad another shot at a Stanley Cup while Sid and Geno are still elite.
Pittsburgh's farm system isn't what you'd consider rich. However, defenseman Pierre-Olivier Joseph (acquired from the Coyotes in the Phil Kessel trade) plus 2019 first-rounder Samuel Poulin and additional draft picks could get it done.
Pittsburgh may have to include struggling forward Alex Galchenyuk ($4.9 million AAV) in the deal to make it work cap-wise. Galchenyuk is a pending UFA, but the Devils could showcase him until the trade deadline to build his value before flipping him to another team.
Nashville Predators
Record: 14-11-5 (6th in Central)
Cap space this season: $2.6M
Projected 2020-21 cap space: $12M
David Poile is another general manager who isn't a stranger to a blockbuster trade. Poile and Devils GM Ray Shero have recent history too, as the Predators sent P.K. Subban to New Jersey this past summer.
The Preds are currently on the outside of the playoff picture looking in, but they have games in hand, and it feels like the organization is in win-now mode. Hall could help it reach the playoffs, and if Pekka Rinne or Juuse Saros get hot, this team is capable of going on a run.
Someone like pending UFA Craig Smith ($4.25 million AAV) may have to be included for cap reasons, but the Devils could also retain up to 50% of Hall's salary. Nashville could use highly touted prospects Philip Tomasino and Eeli Tolvanen, along with a collection of draft picks, as trade bait.
New York Islanders
Record: 21-7-2 (2nd in Metropolitan)
Cap space this season: $6M
Projected 2020-21 cap space: $17.3M
Lou Lamoriello has remained quiet amid all the Hall rumors, but the "Godfather" could have some tricks up his sleeve.
The Islanders have been one of the league's most consistent teams this season, but adding another much-needed game-breaking talent alongside Mathew Barzal would go a long way in helping the team's Stanley Cup chances.
Both Barzal and Ryan Pulock are RFAs this summer, but the Islanders would likely still have enough cap space to offer Hall a long-term contract.
In addition to the necessary cap space, the Islanders also have multiple high-end prospects, including 2018 first-round picks Oliver Wahlstrom and Noah Dobson. Since Shero would be negotiating with a division rival, he'd be wise to demand at least one of them as part of a hefty package.
St. Louis Blues
Record: 19-8-6 (2nd in Central)
Cap space this season: $20,326
Projected 2020-21 cap space: $7.72M
Why not try and make it back-to-back Stanley Cups, right?
Cap space may be tight, but there's a way to navigate this. Goaltender Jake Allen, who carries a $4.35-million hit this season and next, could head the other way. Allen owns a sparkling .925 save percentage during his resurgent season and could potentially help solve New Jersey's goaltending woes.
Obviously, other pieces, such as prospects Jordan Kyrou or Klim Kostin, may have to be involved as well. One thing is clear, though: If Doug Armstrong truly wants to take a run at Hall, he has the ammunition to do so.
(Salary information source: CapFriendly)