The Boston Bruins are making headway on contract negotiations with prospective unrestricted free agent Taylor Hall, according to longtime NHL reporter Andy Stickland, and intend to bring him back in 2021-22 and beyond.
After coming over from a catastrophic scenario with the Buffalo Sabres, the 29-year-old Hall fit in perfectly with the Bruins this season. In 16 regular-season games with the Bruins, Hall scored eight goals and 14 points, as well as three goals and five points in 11 post-season games. He's a former 90-point scorer and Hart Trophy winner as league MVP, but he's been plagued by injuries and inconsistency as he bounced around between the New Jersey Devils, Arizona Coyotes, and Buffalo Sabres in recent seasons.
Of course, Hall's asking price will be the actual stumbling block. He's unlikely to get anything close to the $8 million he was paid by the Sabres last season, but he's also unlikely to take the Bruins' low-ball offer. I suspect both parties would be satisfied with a deal that pays Hall around $6 million each season over the course of four or five years.
What will happen with centre David Krejci is another factor to consider. His $7 million annual contract is set to expire this summer, and both sides are open to extending it, although at a severe discount.
