Arizona Coyotes finally have a superstar in Taylor Hall
By Ant Barberio
The Arizona Coyotes have had many great players, but few superstars. Taylor Hall fills that void and people in Arizona might start paying more attention to their hockey team.
As a New Jersey Devils fan, I began the season with high hopes that general manager Ray Shero and Taylor Hall would put pen to paper on a long-term pact. After a terrible first quarter of the season, it became clear the impending free agent and Hart Trophy winner would be shipped elsewhere. Finally, on Monday, Hall was shipped out to the Arizona Coyotes for picks and prospects.
We could talk for hours about who “won” the trade, but with the Devils opting for the futures package, it might take a while to really tell. One thing is for sure in that the Coyotes have solidified themselves as Pacific Division favorites with the addition of Hall. They may have also gotten their first true superstar.
More from Puck Prose
- Detroit Red Wings 2023 Rookie Camp Has Plenty of Ups and Downs
- This Columbus Blue Jackets rookie doesn’t want to be forgotten
- 2 trades the Boston Bruins must make to secure the Stanley Cup
- 3 reasons the Avalanche won’t win the Stanley Cup in 2024
- This is a big year for Alex Turcotte and the Los Angeles Kings
Ever since the Coyotes came to Arizona in 1996, they’ve failed in comparison to the attention paid to the area’s other professional sports teams. Even in years when the Coyotes were the most successful team in the region, fans flocked elsewhere.
The franchise’s ongoing attendance and arena struggles didn’t help either. In the Coyotes continued fight for relevancy, even as they rise in the league standings, having a true hockey superstar might be just what the team needs to ignite interest in Arizona hockey.
Even though Hall is only guaranteed to be in Arizona until the end of this season, right now he might just be the best professional athlete in Arizona. The Phoenix Suns of the NBA are in a drastic rebuild. The Arizona Diamondbacks of the MLB just signed a top free-agent pitcher in Madison Bumgardner, but baseball season is still months away. Meanwhile, the Arizona Cardinals of the NFL have an exciting young quarterback in Kyler Murray, but the team is still far from success this year.
The Coyotes are Arizona’s best team with Arizona’s best athlete. The Coyotes have long searched for a superstar that could give them a chance at not only success but legitimacy. Auston Matthews was supposed to fill that void of drafted by this team. He could have been the hometown kid that put hockey in Arizona on the map and proved it was viable in the region.
Of course, he ended up going to the Toronto Maple Leafs instead. Hall might not have the same “home-grown” title attached to his name, but at the very least, he’s a star on Mathews’ level.
What about Shane Doan though? Isn’t he supposed to be the best Coyote ever? Well, true, Doan remains the franchise’s Mr. Everything, but his career was more noted for its longevity than success. Hall is a star for his skill, and draft lottery success, but most skill. It’s safe to say Hall is a better player than Doan was, even in his prime. And now Coyotes fans get a front row seat to the former league MVP.
Next. NHL Power Rankings. dark
Even if the Coyotes don’t win the Stanley Cup, for the first time in perhaps ever Arizona has one of the sport’s best. Hockey fans will start paying more attention. Maybe those Arizona news stations will begin to play more Coyotes highlights during the sports segments. Arizona sports fans will start paying more attention and hopefully buying more tickets. That’s the kind of star power Taylor Hall brings.