Well that didn’t last long. The Arizona Coyotes have officially won the 2019 Taylor Hall sweepstakes!

The Coyotes are currently first in the Pacific, and acquiring Hall certainly implies that they think that this year could be Their Year™, especially as Hall is apparently not looking to sign a contract right now (his agent, Darren Ferris, is not known for his fondness of signing contracts mid-season, as Leafs fans are all painfully aware). They’re currently getting by more on goaltending than scoring, but teams have certainly ridden that all the way into the playoffs before. Hall has also been performing well below expectations in New Jersey the last couple of years, so maybe the change of scenery will do him some good (and if not, hey, the Coyotes can at least look forward to getting a first overall as a compensation prize. That’s how his witchcraft works, right?).

Either way, as a fan of a team that isn’t in their division, I wish them all the best! Except for on February 11, 2020, when I wish them only the worst.

I leave you with this spectacular quote from the man himself:

ICYMI

Another roster shuffle ahead of tonight’s game as the Leafs call up Timothy Liljegren and Martin Marincin:

Maple Leafs call up Timothy Liljegren and Martin Marincin

Interested in learning more about the Marlies new head coach? Didn’t even realize they’d gotten one? Don’t worry, Katya’s got you covered:

Greg Moore: Kyle Dubas’s big gamble

Elsewhere

Maple Leafs Hot Stove takes a look at the Leafs’ defense:

Toronto Maple Leafs Notebook: Justin Holl's emergence a major development at RD

Dom Luszczyszyn breaks down five reasons to be optimistic about Keefe’s version of the Toronto Maple Leafs:

5 reasons to be optimistic about the Maple Leafs under...

Anthony Duclair has been having a great time in Ottawa, which is perfect if you’re someone who loves to see Tortorella proven wrong, but is less ideal if you were, say, hypothetically, a fan of a team in the same division as the Senators who is fighting them for a playoff spot right now.

Can’t win them all I guess.

Anthony Duclair finally finds a fit with Senators - TSN.ca

In another exciting episode of “how will the NHL enforce the rules today”, the Flyers’ Joel Farabee has been suspended for three games:

Joel Farabee suspended three games

The Blackhawks have suspended their assistant coach, Marc Crawford, until January 2, 2020, following accusations of physical and verbal abuse by former players. The team and the coach both put out statements:

RELEASE: Statements from Blackhawks, Assistant Coach Marc Crawford

And finally,

The Leafs made their annual visit to SickKids yesterday...

...and a new Leafs blueprint!

Happy gameday everyone!

From The Branches