NHL trade rumors: Montreal Canadiens interested in Taylor Hall
According to the latest NHL trade rumors, the Montreal Canadiens are expected to try to trade for Taylor Hall by the 2020 trade deadline.
The Montreal Canadiens are struggling to keep up in the Atlantic Division. Entering Friday, Nov. 20, they’ve allowed an eye-popping 20 goals in their last three home games. According to the last NHL trade rumors, the Canadiens are expected to try to vastly improve their team by trading for 2018 Hart Trophy winner Taylor Hall of the New Jersey Devils.
This report comes from the Montreal Gazette. The Canadiens have the cap space and the assets to get Hall from the Devils. So far this season, Hall has 21 points in 24 games, including four goals and 17 assists.
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Hall’s 21 points would rank second on the Canadiens, trailing only Tomas Tatar, who has 22 points. The Habs have got to be feeling the pressure from a competitive Atlantic Division that features the Boston Bruins, Tampa Bay Lightning, Florida Panthers, and Toronto Maple Leafs. They’ll likely have to pass one of those teams in order to regain a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Why Hall Would Be A Great Fit For The Montreal Canadiens
Hall would give the Canadiens a much-needed skill boost. They have solid depth, but ultimately, the Habs need more skill. Hall can be relied on to get you about a point per game and can carry his team for extended periods of time, as he proved during the 2017-18 season.
This season is a critical one for the Canadiens. Carey Price and Shea Weber aren’t getting any younger. They won’t remain top-notch players for much longer, and the former might no longer be one right now. The Canadiens are a proud franchise and they’re used to having success. Should the Habs not make the postseason, that will be three straight years without the Stanley Cup Playoffs for them.
What Would He Cost Them?
A first-round pick in the 2020 NHL Draft is the starting point. If you look at what players like Derick Brassard and Rick Nash fetched, that sets a bare minimum of a first-round pick. It will likely be lottery protected, however, the Devils might be able to force teams to not lottery protect that first-round pick.
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On top of that, it would probably cost the Canadiens a high-level prospect or young player. Cole Caufield is likely off the table, but someone like Ryan Poehling or Nick Suzuki could make a lot of sense. Top goaltending prospect Cayden Primeau might make sense as well.