Utah HC targeting former MVP to play with Clayton Keller
The Utah Hockey Club is trying to do something that the Arizona Coyotes franchise couldn't do for quite some time: make the playoffs, and do it with a star player.
The Utah Hockey Club has had a pretty decent season in Salt Lake City with the likes of Dylan Guenther, Logan Cooley, and newly named captain Clayton Keller leading the way.
While much of the emphasis has been on player development, there's little denying that this team has shifted gears as far as playoff talk is concerned, sitting just two points out of a postseason position.
With the trade deadline only a few months away, the rumor mill is operating at full steam ahead about former Hart Trophy winner and first-overall pick Taylor Hall possibly being on the move from the Chicago Blackhawks.
The Blackhawks actually haven't committed yet to trading Hall, although given where they are in the standings, one would imagine that's the most logical course of action for the veteran pending unrestricted free agent.
It hasn't been the best of seasons for the 33-year-old winger, but something tells me that a move to a Cup contender might ignite a little flash from the former Hart Trophy winner. He's always been one of the smartest players in the league.
The hockey IQ hasn't dulled even if the skating has slowed down a little. If the Hawks are willing to eat some of Hall's $6 million cap hit, there's no question in my mind there will be a market for him.
Hall has a modified no-trade clause, so his agent, Darren Ferris, could have a role in helping the Hawks find a suitor. So hear me out here: Utah HC as a buyer! This is only realistic in a world in which Utah stays in the race in the second half. They could use a little more offense.
Hall has some brand-name cache that would be fun to bring into the NHL's newest market, and Utah has plenty of cap room, plus a strong desire to stay in the playoff chase.
- Pierre LeBrun
It hasn't been the best of seasons for the 33-year-old winger, but something tells me that a move to a Cup contender might ignite a little flash from the former Hart Trophy winner. He's always been one of the smartest players in the league.
The hockey IQ hasn't dulled even if the skating has slowed down a little. If the Hawks are willing to eat some of Hall's $6 million cap hit, there's no question in my mind there will be a market for him.
Hall has a modified no-trade clause, so his agent, Darren Ferris, could have a role in helping the Hawks find a suitor. So hear me out here: Utah HC as a buyer! This is only realistic in a world in which Utah stays in the race in the second half. They could use a little more offense.
Hall has some brand-name cache that would be fun to bring into the NHL's newest market, and Utah has plenty of cap room, plus a strong desire to stay in the playoff chase.
- Pierre LeBrun
A move that would make sense on quite a few fronts, with the star power of Taylor Hall able to lift both the team's roster and marketability. What the future holds for this former MVP will be told in the next few months.
| POLL | ||
Will the Utah Hockey Club make the playoffs this season? | ||
| Yes | 59 | 25.9 % |
| No | 169 | 74.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
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