Dan’s Daily Links: Taylor Hall Trade is Hot, Sabres-Penguins Trade Talk

The New Jersey Devils caused a stir on Friday night. Former Hart Trophy winner Taylor Hall took warmups but didn’t play against the Colorado Avalanche for “precautionary” reasons because New Jersey GM Ray Shero found traction on the trade market. The Pittsburgh Penguins trade talks with the Buffalo Sabres involved Alex Galchenyuk, and the Penguins may be closer to getting a center back in the lineup.

Multiple teams are showing interest in Taylor Hall. The TSN Insiders share what they know. (TSN)

LATEST UPDATE: Boston is in the mix, too (Boston Hockey Now)

Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan confirmed Nick Bjugstad skated on his own for the first time since suffering a lower body injury on Friday morning. (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

Lance Lysowski of the Buffalo News cited Daren Dreger’s report that Buffalo defenseman Zach Bogosian has requested a trade. And Lysowski tied another report cited Buffalo GM Jason Botterill participated in the Penguins trade discussions involving Alex Galchenyuk. (Buffalo News)

The Penguins really don’t need a low scoring right-handed defenseman right now. If Bogosian were a lefty, the Galchenyuk-Bogosian trade would be a perfect fit. Rutherford isn’t going to acquire a veteran to displace rookie John Marino as the third pairing right side defenseman.

However, if Buffalo wants to part with a useable asset for Galchenyuk, I don’t believe Rutherford would hang up the phone.

Also, the LA Kings are in town, with Ilya Kovalchuk, but Kovalchuk has essentially been separated from the team. He will get a $2.65 million roster bonus Sunday, but if he leaves the squad after that, LA can terminate his contract.

Kovalchuk made the trip with the Kings to Pittsburgh. His last payable bonus goes Sunday ($2.65 million). After that, it's up to him if he wants to leave the Kings or not, and if he does he'd be in breach of his NHL contract, paving way for LAK to put him on unconditional waivers https://t.co/ok8o9ZcPYw

— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) December 13, 2019

Perhaps he can stay with Evgeni Malkin for a day or two? It was Kovalchuk who was the peace broker between Malkin and Alex Ovechkin.

More related Penguins trade reports: The Montreal Canadiens have been poking around Chicago and the Chicago AHL affiliate. It’s believed Montreal wants a left-handed D-man, which would be Erik Gustafsson. (NBC Sports)

Chicago has also been scouting the Penguins regularly and sent two scouts on Thursday night. The Penguins could also use an LHD right now, but GM Jim Rutherford would prefer help on the wings.

Don’t discount a Penguins trade before the Christmas break on Dec. 19, or soon after. Rutherford is historically active during this time period.

Geez, without Sidney Crosby on the ice every night, Sportsnet is moving fast to replace him in the best in the word debate. Next up to battle Connor McDavid–Nathan MacKinnon (Sportsnet)

The Boston natives are looking wistfully at Taylor Hall. The Bruins have lost five straight. Joe Hagerty of NBC Sports Boston advocates a Bruins-Hall acquisition (NBC Sports).

Boston Hockey has in the past reported the Bruins interest in both Tyler Toffoli and GM Don Sweeney doing his due diligence on Hall.