The Montreal Canadiens would benefit from trading for Taylor Hall
By Omar L
With the New Jersey Devils taking another lottery victory perhaps the Montreal Canadiens should trade for Taylor Hall and add some good luck for the future.
The 2019 NHL Draft Lottery was an eventful one for Taylor Hall and the New Jersey Devils, but not much for the Montreal Canadiens. The entire fanbase was hoping to not see the Habs logo when Bill Daly revealed the first card, but Habs logo it was.
Imagine the ridiculous jump to go from the worst best odds to win one of the three lotteries? But of course, that happened to the Chicago Blackhawks who landed at the third spot despite finishing with the 12th best odds.
It was good news for the New York Rangers as well who went from six to number two. Though by the end of it all, the New Jersey Devils came up on top…again.
That marked the second lottery victory for the Devils in two years. The first saw New Jersey jump from four whereas this win came from third. What does this all mean? Is there truly a point in tanking or is Taylor Hall a miraculous wizard who brings lottery wins with him wherever he goes.
Hall was a lottery victory himself as the Edmonton Oilers won the opportunity to select him first overall in 2010. Later, with Hall very much a part of the organization, the Oilers won in 2011, the next year in 2012, and again in 2015 to add Connor McDavid. After being traded to New Jersey in the summer heading into the 2016-17 season, Hall brought the same magic granting the team the win to draft Nico Hischier in 2017.
They talk about Gretzky’s 92 goals or Sittler’s 10 pts in one game as records that may never be broken. But winning 5 draft lotteries in your first 9 years in the league? In 2 different draft lottery eras, no less. That is a record that will stand forever.
— Taylor Hall (@hallsy09) April 10, 2019
The Montreal Canadiens don’ t want to find themselves in a position to be part of the lottery. The future looks bright, and hopefully, the playoffs are the final destination of each season. But imagine getting all those lottery victories while having the skill of Hall on your team. Things would have to go incredibly wrong for the Habs to have all that talent, including Carey Price, and still miss out on the playoffs.
That said, imagine having the opportunity to select potential franchise french player Alexis Lafrenière first overall in 2020. All it would take is Hall’s magic to get it done.
All joking aside, it’s funny to see Hall bring so many lottery wins wherever he goes. At least the Oilers didn’t get it, but if New Jersey earns one more, they’ll be in that territory.
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