Despite uncertainty around the NHL salary cap and many insiders calling this a terrible time to be an unrestricted free agent, there will undoubtedly be interest in forward Taylor Hall.
The Score’s Sean O’Leary recently took an in-depth dive at what NHL Central Division teams might be planning and specifically wondered if there might be a fit between the Colorado Avalanche and Taylor Hall? Noting the Avs have salary cap space that many other teams don’t, Hall may look to land with a team that can afford him and O’Leary wondered if GM Joe Sakic might pursue Hall via free agency, as a result.
O’Learly noted it was probably a long-shot at best but considering there was rumored interest in Hall earlier in the season, it’s not an incredibly outlandish notion to believe the two sides might be connected. But, the Avs need to be cautious not to overspend here, especially when you factor in their needs and where Hall would slot on their roster.
What Is Hall Worth and Where Would He Go?
In Colorado, they have one of the NHL’s premiere top lines and putting on Hall on it could disrupt the chemistry that exists between Mikko Rantanen, Nathan McKinnon and Gabriel Landeskog. As such, if Hall becomes a second-line player, what is he worth? He’ll be seeking $8 million or more per season and that’s not exactly a market the Avs want to get into considering only Rantanen makes that kind of money.
But, if Hall looks at free agency this season and says to himself there’s no way he gets what he’s worth, perhaps he looks at a one-year deal and with a team that gives him the best chances to pad his production. From there, he can sign a lucrative long-term deal next summer.
In that scenario, Hall makes more sense with the Avalanche.
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