A potential top goalscorer could be the answer to the Toronto Maple Leafs scoring needs, according to a new report.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have not had a consistent offensive showing throughout the season, even with their high priced forwards, a result of injuries to stars such as Auston Matthews & John Tavares
Toronto has already been linked heavily to adding on offense as multiple names have been linked to the Toronto Maple Leafs, including Yanni Gourde of Seattle, Brock Nelson of the New York Islanders, & Scott Laughton of the Philadelphia Flyers most prominently.
Despite the rumored names all being solid offensive players who also have the defensive edge Toronto is interested in, none bring the strong goalscoring punch the Leafs are craving to add.
One recent report indicates that a former NHL Hart Trophy winner on an expiring deal could be available to the Toronto Maple Leafs, with the belief being highly likely he will be traded by the NHL's upcoming trade deadline.
Chicago Blackhawks forward Taylor Hall has been linked to a departure from the lowly Hawks, who sit in last place in the NHL with a 14-28-2 record and 30 points in 44 games.
An article from 'The Fourth Period' shares that Hall is preparing for a trade from Chicago, despite an interest from the forward to re-sign with the Blackhawks.
Hall has a 10-team no-trade clause that is unknown if said list includes the Leafs as a team he'd block a deal to or would approve.
A Hart Trophy winner in 2018, Hall has eight goals and 22 points in 43 games this season for the Chicago Blackhawks.
Healthy scratched by Chicago, Taylor Hall has lost his footing in the Blackhawks lineup, and could be an option for the Toronto Maple Leafs for a major offensive boost.
One concern over Hall is his rich $6M contract, which may be too much for the Leafs to afford without moving out other players.
As a fit, Hall would almost surely be on the Leafs top-six, with Matthew Knies a strong fit on the Leafs top line, Hall would most likely be fighting Max Pacioretty for the second line spot alongside John Tavares & William Nylander.
Putting Hall next to Tavares and Nylander could be good for adding a major boost to a streaking Tavares and a quiet Nylander.
The question will be how much better Hall would be in Toronto. He'd likely stand out a lot more with the stacked Leafs vs a barren offensive Chicago, but will his lack of a consistent spark weigh players down and cause him the same challenges that made him a liability for the Blackhawks?
On the one hand, Hall is a talented forward who's not playing like the MVP he once was, but can still provide a scoring boost to a playoff contender, but was also the player who was healthy scratched by the worst team in the NHL, a player teams don't know which they'll get in the playoffs.
Also read on Hockey Patrol :
Craig Berube Makes A Surprising Scratch Following The John Tavares Injury News