Reports: Coyotes execs met with pending UFA Taylor Hall
Jul 20, 2020, 3:37 PM
Arizona Coyotes left wing Taylor Hall warms up with teammates prior to an NHL hockey game against the Minnesota Wild on Thursday, Dec. 19, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. Hall was acquired in a trade with the New Jersey Devils. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Free agent-to-be Taylor Hall had a dinner meeting last week with Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo, his son Alex Jr., and new CEO Xavier Gutierrez, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported Monday.
Friedman was furthering a report from The Athletic’s Craig Custance, who said the sides had re-engaged in contract talks and that Gutierrez had taken over negotiations.
Hall is undoubtedly one of the top free agents in the upcoming class and would command top dollar, given that he has a Hart Trophy and four All-Star appearances under his belt. The former first overall pick from 2010 was dealt to the Coyotes back in December in a midseason trade that sent prospects and draft picks to the New Jersey Devils.
According to multiple reports, Hall’s agent, Darren Ferris, reiterated that the two sides still intend to wait until the season’s over to negotiate a contract, as has been stated previously.
RELATED STORIES
The Coyotes have a postseason series against the Nashville Predators on Aug. 2.
“I’ve had a great time playing with the Coyotes and meeting everyone here and talking to [GM] John [Chayka] and [head coach] Rick [Tocchet] and the coaching staff,” Hall told NBC Sports’ Mike Tirico in May. “I think we have a great relationship.
“So there’s still time to have those talks and I think we have a really good relationship on both sides so we’ll see where it goes.”
Hall appeared in 35 games for Arizona during this regular season and scored 10 goals with 17 assists. He’s currently on the final year of a contract that has a $6 million per year salary, according to CapFriendly.
