The Toronto Maple Leafs would love to keep Zach Hyman. Unfortunately, they may not be able to do so and the team is reportedly preparing for that reality. Insiders have thrown out a few names in relation to the team and among them, Taylor Hall’s name popped up thanks to a report by TSN’s Darren Dreger. But, is this a reality? Is this something Maple Leafs fans should actually believe is possible?
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Dreger said Wednesday that the Boston Bruins are still the favorite to sign Hall and both sides would like to get a deal worked out. Hall has been clear about wanting to sign a long-term contract with the team and the Bruins have noted they’d be open to working something out. That doesn’t mean other teams won’t reach out to Hall’s agent and offer something before that extension gets done, if it does. So technically, Dreger is correct when he says the Leafs could reach out or might be considering Hall as an option. Hall to the Bruins isn’t done until it’s done.
The 29-year-old winger will be among a number of free agents multiple teams will look at. Dreger explained, “But there’s outside interest as well, including from the Toronto Maple Leafs, which may surprise some. Toronto has interest, I’m sure, if they can’t get Zach Hyman signed, or depending on what happens with Freddy Andersen.” He added, “There are a lot of teams with interest in Taylor Hall but he’d like to extend his time in Boston.”
On paper, there’s a lot to like about buying into the Hall-to-Toronto talk. With the Leafs, he would be playing with either Auston Matthews or John Tavares on a nightly basis. Couple with one of those two players, he’d be far more likely to produce results similar to the numbers he put up in Boston, not as part of the Buffalo Sabres. Add either Mitch Marner or William Nylander to the equation and Hall could score or get points in bunches.
If Hyman leaves, Hall has already said he’s looking for a commitment from a team, not necessarily the most money. That seems to suggest a five or six-year deal around $5 million would probably get it done. If Toronto can squeeze Hall down to $4.5 million per season, they’d be happy and it would fit with their offseason plans.
Will Hall to Toronto Happen?
Don’t rule it out, but don’t expect it either. There are bound to be a lot more names attached to the Maple Leafs organization over the next few weeks, and not just Hall’s. In the end, he likely stays in Boston, but the Edmonton Oilers are also rumored to have Hall on their short list of left wing free agent options and there’s some history in Edmonton and with Connor McDavid.
Hall wants some consistency in his career. He spent the longest time with the Oilers and he was not a happy man when he was traded while the team was starting to produce better results. This doesn’t necessarily mean that he’s had them on their radar since he left, but with the team continually in the playoff picture and with some money to spend this summer — and a real need for a left-winger — Hall probably knows the Oilers might come calling.
Hall and the Maple Leafs is a fun idea. That said, Hall is a lot more of what Toronto already has and their need in other areas is a lot greater than what spending most of their available money on Hall will provide.
In the end, whether the Oilers or Maple Leafs reach out, Hall’s first choice is probably the Bruins and the Bruins will probably get this deal done.
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