First-Place Coyotes Still Trail Vegas in Pacific Division Title Odds After Trading for Taylor Hall

• The Arizona Coyotes  have acquired former Hart Trophy-winner Taylor Hall from the New Jersey Devils
• At +240, the Coyotes are second favorites to win the Pacific Division
• The Golden Knights (+200) are still shorter than Arizona despite trailing in the standings

Taylor Hall is a member of the Arizona Coyotes but, apparently, the team still has some work to do in order to be considered the team to beat in the Pacific division odds.

Across the leading sportsbooks, the Vegas Golden Knights remain the chalk to win the Pacific. Vegas is drawing average odds of +200. Arizona is listed as the second betting choice at +240.

Books also like the Golden Knights at odds of +175, compare to the Coyotes at +225.

2019-20 NHL Pacific Division Odds

Odds taken on Dec. 16

Arizona (19-12-4) leads the division by one point over Vegas with one game in hand.

Coyotes Needed This Move

Remember when the Coyotes used to acquire guys like Chris Pronger, Pavel Datsyuk and Marian Hossa, big contracts of veteran players no longer in the NHL, just to reach the salary cap floor?

Yeah, those days are over.

Coming soon: Hall & Yotes. pic.twitter.com/QX85WVWZgj

— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) December 16, 2019

Coyotes general manager John Chayka has patiently built with youth. His team has taken its lumps along the way. But now it’s time to win. Arizona is going for it.

Arizona is first in the Pacific despite averaging just 2.77 goals per game (97 goals in 35 games). But the Coyotes have allowed a division-low 84 goals. Their plus-13 rating is the best in the Pacific.

Taylor Hall is going to bring extra fire power to the @ArizonaCoyotes! With outstanding goaltenders, great defense, and offense! Watch out the rest of the @NHL! The COYOTES ARE IN WIN NOW MODE! #FearThePack

— Jeremy Roenick (@Jeremy_Roenick) December 17, 2019

In what’s been labeled an off-year for him, Hall has 25 points in 30 games. Currently, Clayton Keller and Nick Schmaltz share the Arizona scoring lead, each with 23 points.

Hall won the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP in 2017-18. He posted 93 points that season, netting 39 goals and dishing out 54 assists as New Jersey reach the playoffs for the first time in six seasons.

The Coyotes haven’t qualified for postseason play in seven years.

Pacific Is Up For Grabs

Arizona is one point ahead of Vegas atop the Pacific with one game in hand. The Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames are both another point behind the Golden Knights, entering Monday evening.

This is anybody’s division. By boldly moving for Hall, the Coyotes have established that they intend to set sail for the Pacific title. He can be a difference maker in a tight race.

"Hopefully it ends up being a monumental day for the organization."

Hear from GM Chayka after acquiring former league MVP, Taylor Hall: pic.twitter.com/zbGyLYTFWQ

— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) December 17, 2019

Arizona owns one Pacific Division crown. That came in 2011-12. It was also the only season that the Coyotes ever won a playoff series. They went all the way to the Western Conference final before succumbing to the eventual Stanley Cup-champion Los Angeles Kings.

Will Hall And Yotes Howl Together?

Make no mistake, this is a statement day in Coyotes franchise history. By acquiring Hall, a potential rental who can become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, Arizona is telling its fanbase to get on board for the wild ride of a long playoff run.

This is the chance for the desert to prove it is an oasis for hockey. If Arizona truly is a hockey market, this is where the people prove it by supporting a team that’s displayed a readiness to try to deal itself a winning hand.

Hall will likely test the free agent market, so this could be a pure rental for Arizona. However, Hall’s agent, Darren Ferris will listen to extension options if the Coyotes present them at any point.

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) December 16, 2019

Are Arizona’s people discerning hockey fans who’ve been waiting for a winner, or do they just not like hockey?

Hall and the Yotes could prove to be a masterful winning formula. Or, like many optimistic missions in the desert, it could all simply evaporate into a mirage.

Bet on it being the former and take the Coyotes at decent plus-money.

Pick: Arizona Coyotes (+225)