The latest on the Taylor Hall sweepstakes, the Leafs’ plans, and could the LA Kings make a move at the trade deadline?

On episode 16 of the DFO Rundown podcast, Frank Seravalli and Jason Gregor discussed a number of topics as clubs gear up for the April 12th trade deadline.

Perhaps most notable, was discussing which teams could be in on Buffalo Sabres forward Taylor Hall.

The Taylor Hall sweepstakes

“We look at the Islanders, I think most of us agree, Taylor Hall just seems to make a lot of sense for them,” said Gregor.

“We’ve talked to Don Waddell, that team is ready to do just about anything,” Seravalli said of the Carolina Hurricanes, who would certainly be an ideal landing spot for Hall. “I think there are some suspects aside from the Islanders, I think some people wonder about Toronto. I don’t see him being a fit there and it’s not the $8 million cap hit that’s the problem because you can get it down to $2 million if you run it through two teams including Buffalo retaining half.”

“I think some people wonder about Boston and I wonder just a little bit about Colorado. I think Colorado had some interest in him in the offseason, but it was at a really reduced number — they weren’t even willing to pay four [million]. I think the Oilers were in that kind of category where it was just ‘we’ll just throw this at you, we think we’re a good team, see if you’re interested and if you’re not, no hard feelings,’ but I think they were kind of in that mix.”

All eyes will be on Hall and the Sabres this Monday, as it remains to be seen which team will pull the trigger on a deal in hopes of bolstering their chances of playoff success.

The Leafs’ Plans

With the Winnipeg Jets and Edmonton Oilers on their heels for top spot in the North Division, some have pointed that the Toronto Maple Leafs’ biggest question mark is in goal. According to Seravalli, the club is being “extremely cautious” with the health of Frederik Andersen, but don’t feel the need to go out and get goaltending help.

“The idea is that he came back too quickly last time from his injury, and so they want to make sure that this time they get it right. I think he’s getting a lot closer but Jack Campbell has played so well — he’s 7-0 now and just running with the ball — they don’t feel any need to go out and do something on the goaltending front. They think a healthy Freddie Andersen who’s now got some rest after playing a pretty arduous schedule with all the injuries they had in net, coupled with how well Jack Campbell has played, that gives them enough confidence moving forward where they don’t need to go out and do something, that they have more pressing needs.”

“It’s not at defence, it’s at forward. The one thing I’ve learned about Toronto and how they approach things, for them it’s all about fit. It’s stylistic fit as much as it is anything else,” added Seravalli. “They’re looking for a very specific type of winger that they can plug in. We mentioned Granlund, they like his versatility. I reported previously that he was their primary target but Nashville has pulled their players back a little bit because they want to see where they stand. They’re still listening, it doesn’t mean they won’t be trading, but moving forward, if it’s not Granlund I think the Leafs will be more interested in a Kyle Palmieri type. Has a little bit more edge and grind to his game. It’s Palmieri, I think a guy like Foligno on a lower case scale might make some sense too.”

Could the Kings make a move?

The last playoff spot in the West Division is within reach for numerous clubs. Among them are the Los Angeles Kings, who sit five points back of the Arizona Coyotes for the fourth and final playoff spot with two games in hand.

“They’ve got a lot of young guys coming, and I’m not sure if Rob Blake is going to sacrifice much of the future, but part of the development process is getting some playoff experience for your young players,” said Gregor.

“I think they’re deadline neutral,” said Seravalli. “I don’t think they’re going to be in a position to add — maybe a small piece here or there — and I don’t think they’re going to be selling off pieces. They’ve been working behind the scenes to try and re-sign Alex Iafallo, there’s mutual interest on both sides which is why he’s never made it to our trade bait board.”

“The other guy I heard from a team out east this week was Sean Walker… He’s a right-shot defenceman, relatively low cap hit, term, and he’s a guy that would make sense on a lot of teams. My intel at this point is while the Kings have received calls on Sean Walker, they’re not interested in moving him. They consider him to be one of those key pieces on the blue line that they want to keep moving forward.”

As much as the Kings may want to capitalize before their cup-winning core players like Anze Kopitar, Drew Doughty, and Jonathan Quick call it quits, they’re not likely to make any significant moves at the deadline.