NHL Rumors: Oilers in on Taylor Hall; Canadiens looking at Blues Vince Dunn; and Mike Hoffman high on TSN trade list
Anthony Scultore
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A Taylor Hall reunion with the Edmonton Oilers? According to former NHL GM and insider Doug Maclean -yes! In a recent radio spot on CHED 630 Edmonton; MacLean said that “reliable sources” told him that and more.
Oilers “in on” Taylor Hall and looking to retain Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
Doug MacLean: “I also heard yesterday they’re in on the guy from Buffalo that everybody wants: Taylor Hall. I’m thinking: How is that going to work. How could Taylor Hall go there on a deal? The guy told me they’re looking at a deal that would have them both done for less than $12 million for both of them (Hall and RNH), and it would work next year…It was a reasonable source that said it.”
Edmonton Journal
This would certainly take some cap gymnastics to make work. David Staples believes in order for this to even be possible the Oilers would have to move out players like Zack Kassian ($3.2M) and/or James Neal ($4.625M). With Neal on the taxi squad and having multiple years left on his deal I don’t see any interest there.
For what it’s worth; I’ve been saying a Hall reunion with Edmonton was always a possibility. Maybe it actually happens.
Montreal Canadiens eyes on Blues Vince Dunn or Tyler Bozak
Montreal: The Habs have placed forward Brendan Gallagher on LTIR as he’s expected to miss at least 6 weeks due to a broken thumb. The rumors have already started that Marc Bergevin plans to use the cap relief from the injury to go out and acquire a defenseman. Now TVA’s Renaud Lavoie is thinking that defenseman is Vince Dunn in St. Louis.
“Now he has a little more leeway. It’s a little over $ 2 million that he gets to go find another player. So, yes, they could involve draft picks in a future trade. But the trend is heavy with Marc Bergevin. He’s looking for former Stanley Cup winners. And that, I think it is still a priority for him. Their eyes will turn to the Blues. Is it Tyler Bozak, Vince Dunn, who makes less than $ 2 million a year? Suddenly he can work a little more. His hands are much less tied than a few days ago.”
Renaud Lavoie
Write me down as someone who absolutely believes Bergevin will make another deal before Monday’s deadline.
Mike Hoffman now #3 on the TSN Trade Bait List
The St. Louis Blues scratched Mike Hoffman and Robert Bortuzzo in anticipation of a trade. Now that the Devils have moved Kyle Palmieri many teams could be interested in Hoffman. The price on Taylor Hall; a first round pick plus a prospect could be too rich for some. There is also fitting in his cap hit as well, which may also take other contenders out.
Hoffman being taken out of the lineup has him now in the top three on TSN’s Trade Bait Board. Only Columbus’ David Savard and Buffalo’s Taylor Hall are ahead of him. I fully expect him to be moved. I’m thinking Boston who missed out on Palmieri and may not be able to afford Hall are the most likely candidates to get him.