Boston Bruins: Looking at a trade for Taylor Hall

As a proud Canadian and hockey fan, it is always an exciting time when TSN’s annual ‘NHL Trade Bait’ board is released. It is always exciting to see what names are most likely to be moved come deadline day. This year’s board has some intriguing names for the Boston Bruins including players who could shore up some needed depth on the left side of the defence or scoring on the wing.

Perhaps the most interesting name on the list is Buffalo Sabres winger Taylor Hall. Yet again, the Sabres are flopping mightily and are currently in the basement of the East Division. Originally the thought of Hall on Jack Eichel’s left side had to have been mouth-watering thoughts in Buffalo, but the two just haven’t worked out.

Early Wednesday afternoon, Bleacher Report released their top-5 landing spots for Taylor Hall. Wouldn’t you know it, the Boston Bruins were No. 1 on that list! After being in the mix during Hall’s free agency this past fall – it would be something if the Bruins ended up with the past Hart Trophy winner.

Let’s take a look at a move to bring the struggling winger to a winning culture.

Boston Bruins – Buffalo Sabres deal.

For the Boston Bruins and other interested teams – Taylor Hall and the Buffalo Sabres’ struggles may help your organization get the past All-Star for somewhat of a discount. Saying that it’s still going to cost you.

Hall’s expiring deal makes the money, not the biggest worry for the Bruins, but the cost to acquire the player.

Anders Bjork has shown many flashes of brilliance during his tenure so far with Boston, but just hasn’t seemed to be able to find his spot in the lineup. An incoming left winger would jam him up even more. Bjork’s potential and cheap contract would be coveted by an organization committed to a youth movement such as the Sabres.

If you follow the Boston Bruins you know that Don Sweeney hates giving up good draft capital. To get a scorer like Taylor Hall though, you’re going to have to be willing to give something up. A first-round pick probably does the job.

On the Bruins end – you’re finally getting that secondary scoring and wing help for David Krejci you’ve long coveted. Although he has had recent struggles, Hall is only three years removed from a 39-goal campaign and you have to think he would be able to find some of that scoring touch with a better cast around him.

With over $11.5 million in deadline cap space – Boston could easily slide in Taylor Hall’s remaining portion of his $8 million salary.

Boston Bruins’ forward lines with Taylor Hall.

Marchand – Bergeron – Pastrnak

Hall – Krejci – Smith

Ritchie – Coyle – DeBrusk

Frederic – Studnicka – Wagner

The first few units are really solid here, but a few questions have to be answered when it comes to the fourth line and if Cassidy is more comfortable with youth or the currently struggling veterans.

Should the Boston Bruins go after Taylor Hall?

The Boston Bruins are one of the best teams when their top players are firing on all cylinders. When the big guns are having an off night though, this team goes ghost mode with very little secondary scoring to be found.

Taylor Hall could be a giant answer to that problem if the price is right. Don Sweeney has to pay for the player he’s been more than the player he was and not overpay for a rental (see Rick Nash).

First things first, you have to get Hall to waive that no move clause – which you’d think he would do to get out of that disaster in Buffalo.