5 NHL teams that will regret not trading for Taylor Hall

4. Winnipeg Jets

A top line of Hall, Mark Scheifele and Patrik Laine would have been an absolute force to contend with in the Western Conference this season. While the Winnipeg Jets were not linked at all to Hall, there may be some lingering regrets around not being in the running with the asking price so low at the end of the day.

The Jets, like the Canadiens, have cap space to spare, with $9.9 million currently free according to CapFriendly. With the Devils eating 50 percent of Hall’s $6 million cap hit this season, Winnipeg no doubt would have been able to slide his contract into their books with very few issues.

This season, the Jets are third in the Central Division with a 20-11-2 record and 42 points on the season. While the Dallas Stars are right behind them in terms of points, the Jets are only six points out of first place in the Central and are 7-2-1 in their last 10 games as they’ve climbed up the standings. Adding Hall to their lineup would have given the Jets a more dynamic offense that could rival Colorado and St. Louis above them.

However, despite how much better the Jets would be offensively if Hall were to have been traded to Winnipeg, the Jets’ most pressing needs this season are of a more defensive nature. The Jets have had a patchwork defense all season long and could use an upgrade at the blue line if they want to make a postseason run. Thanks to Connor Hellebuyck in net, the Jets are keeping teams from putting the puck in the back of their net at will, but the team could no doubt do with an addition on defense.

Hall would have been a fun addition for the Jets should they have been interested, and while their needs are elsewhere Winnipeg would have no doubt loved to have more offensive power in a tight Central Division.