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Toronto Maple Leafs: Does a Taylor Hall Trade Make Sense?

By Jordan Maresky

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 24: Taylor Hall #4 of the Buffalo Sabres skates on the ice in the first period against the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena on January 24, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 24: Taylor Hall #4 of the Buffalo Sabres skates on the ice in the first period against the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena on January 24, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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UNIONDALE, NEW YORK – MARCH 06: Taylor Hall #4 of the Buffalo Sabres skates against the New York Islanders at the Nassau Coliseum on March 06, 2021 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
UNIONDALE, NEW YORK – MARCH 06: Taylor Hall #4 of the Buffalo Sabres skates against the New York Islanders at the Nassau Coliseum on March 06, 2021 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Taylor Hall to the Toronto Maple Leafs: Pros

1. Hall is an excellent playmaker.

The hallmark (see what I did there) of the former MVP’s skill set is his tremendous vision and playmaking capabilities. Some may look at Hall’s 16 assists in 34 games this season and believe he is not contributing as one of the team’s primary offensive weapons.

But some underlying numbers suggest Hall is doing his fair share, however, his teammates have been unable to finish the attempts he is creating for them. Hall currently ranks first in the NHL in high-danger passes per 60 minutes, according to JFreshHockey, and it is entirely conceivable with better finishers such as Matthews or Tavares as his linemate, the points will start piling up for the former number one overall pick.

2. Hall is an exceptional forechecker.

A lot has been made this season of Zach Hyman’s continued progression from his career-best 21 goals in 51 games last season. And when the stars of this team name the Toronto native as the player most want to play with, Leaf fans are unsurprised by the raving reviews.

What makes Hyman so effective is his relentless forechecking. But unfortunately for head coach Sheldon Keefe, the team only has one Zach Hyman. However, at his peak, Hall uses his quick foot speed and high hockey IQ to be a dogged puck pursuer.

In his last season with the New Jersey Devils, Hall finished in the 76th percentile in offensive zone recoveries, the 87th percentile in offensive zone disruptions, and the 90th percentile in offensive zone pressures, according to JFreshHockey.

3. As a former MVP, Hall is going to cost very little.

The perfect storm is building for a contender to swoop in and acquire Hall for a relatively low cost as someone who was a borderline superstar at his peak.

It may not even cost a first-round pick for arguably the most prolific name on the trade market this season. If the Toronto Maple Leafs  coaching staff are able to build back up the divisive forward to what he was at his best, that is a very inexpensive price to pay.

We have seen the wonders the Leafs coaching staff can do with how they have been able to effectively build Galchenyuk back into a legitimate NHL player.

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