Taylor Hall already on his way out of Arizona?

Taylor Hall’s time in Arizona might be short after all. 

While the team made it clear that that newly acquired winger will play out the remainder of the season before the two sides open contract talks, team insider Justin Bourne of The Athletic believes the Coyotes should trade Hall right away. 

It is a tight playoff race in the Pacific, and while the Coyotes are standing first at the moment, nothing ensures that Arizona will be a strong contender in the postseason. 

Bourne therefore suggests that instead of losing Hall for nothing this summer as many believe he will hit the free agency market, the Coyotes should sell him at the deadline for a hefty return. 

“And if you’re Arizona, isn’t the best, best, best thing you can do for your franchise is to acquire high draft picks or prospects that will be tied to your organization for the duration of their entry-level contracts (and they’ve had success keeping those players)? Wouldn’t trading Hall provide you cheaper talent that’s going to stick around?

Yes, I know they just traded picks and prospects. But you can recoup those and improve on them, otherwise, you don’t do a deal.

You have to do the math on “Is this the year we’re winning the Cup,” or at least “Is this the year we could realistically be one of the handful of teams who could win the Cup,” and you have to consider what that’s worth. You have to consider what a run and an attempt at that Cup is worth to your loyal fans who’ve been with you through thick and thin. You have to consider what meaningful hockey does for the development of your young players. You have to show, at some point, that you’re trying to win.

The Coyotes could get back more than they gave up for Hall at the trade deadline with a top contender going all out for the winger. 

This could mean that Hall suits up for a third different team this season and could join a fourth in the summer.