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A22 SPORTS
Tuesday 17 december 2019

In this Dec. 2, 2019 file photo New Jersey Devils forward
Taylor Hall (9) looks on during the third period of an NHL
hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres in Buffalo, N.Y.
Associated Press

In this Dec. 15, 2019 photo Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Josh Gordon (10) sets up against the Coyotes acquire Taylor
Carolina Panthers during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C.
Associated Press Hall from Devils
NFL suspends Seahawks WR for picks, prospects

Josh Gordon indefinitely By STEPHEN WHYNO

AP Hockey Writer
The Arizona Coyotes are looking to end their lengthy
By TIM BOOTH receiver off waivers. His with reverence about be- playoff drought by adding a player desperate to get
AP Sports Writer first game came in Week ing given another chance back to the postseason himself.
RENTON, Wash. (AP) — The 10 against San Francisco by Seattle and the culture Arizona acquired standout winger Taylor Hall from
troubles that have followed when Gordon made a pair he stepped into with the the New Jersey Devils on Monday for three prospects
Josh Gordon throughout of key catches late in Se- Seahawks. He said it was a and two draft picks. The Coyotes will try to end their
his career continued Mon- attle's 27-24 overtime win. "great transition," from his seven-year playoff drought by adding the 2018 NHL
day as the Seahawks wide Gordon had seven recep- release in New England to MVP who has made the postseason just once in his
receiver was suspended tions over five games with being quickly added into first nine seasons. Hall goes to the Coyotes along
indefinitely by the NFL for the Seahawks. All seven the fold by the Seahawks. with Blake Speer in exchange for forward prospects
violating league policies on seemed to have signifi- "I think I'm fortunate in gen- Nick Merkley and Nate Schnarr, defensive prospect
performance enhancers cance, including his 58- eral to have landed in a Kevin Bahl, a 2020 first-round pick and a conditional
and substances of abuse. yard catch in Sunday's win place like this with coaches third-round pick in 2021. The third-rounder becomes a
Gordon was reinstated over Carolina. like this," Gordon said. "The second-rounder if the Coyotes win a playoff round or
by the NFL in August after "He had impact to some coaching staff, the organi- Hall re-signs and elevates to a first if both those things
having been suspended extent it seemed like in zation from the top down, happen. The first-round pick is top-three protected.
indefinitely in December every game," Carroll said. the guys, it's real family-like. Hall, 28, has six goals and 19 assists in 30 games this
2018, missing the final three "This isn't about that. This It's real close, real tight-knit, season. He put up 93 points in 76 games during his
games of last season for is about Josh getting well real energetic group and MVP season. "Taylor Hall is one of the elite talents in
violations of the league's and taking care of busi- real competitive. They love the game today: a Hart Trophy winner, a high-end
substance abuse policy. ness." the game of football. You playmaker and one of the NHL's most talented for-
"My heart goes out to Josh Gordon's brief stint with Se- can see it and it's a great wards," Coyotes general manager John Chayka said.
having to face this again. attle likely finished with 11 feeling to come back to "We are beyond thrilled to add Taylor to our team
The fact that he is up targets, 139 yards receiving football and enjoy what as we continue in our mission of bringing a Stanley
against it and all, it poses and one incomplete pass you do and then be able Cup home to Arizona." During nine-plus seasons with
a great challenge to him," attempt on a trick play to have fun with it." the Edmonton Oilers and Devils, Hall has 132 goals
Seattle coach Pete Carroll against the Panthers. Car- A 2012 second-round draft and 196 assists in 381 regular-season games. He has
said. roll was unclear of when pick by the Cleveland played in just five playoff games in that time.
"Fortunately he'll have the the positive tests hap- Browns, Gordon was also New Jersey was looking to re-sign Hall to a long-term
great benefit of all of the pened and said learning of suspended for the first two contract but has struggled this season. Despite trad-
league's resources to sup- Gordon's suspension was a games of the 2013 season ing for P.K. Subban, signing Wayne Simmonds and se-
port him and help him and surprise. for a substance abuse pol- lecting Jack Hughes first overall, the Devils are last in
we'll wish him the very best "We saw Josh really at a icy violation but still caught the Metropolitan Division.
in taking care of business. really high level the whole 87 passes for nine touch- The Coyotes haven't made the playoffs since 2012.
It's really unfortunate." time he was here. The work downs and a league-lead- They currently lead the Pacific Division thanks to bal-
Gordon signed with New ethic he brought was one, ing 1,646 yards and was anced scoring and strong goaltending.
England and was among but his getting along with voted to the All-Pro team. The Devils acquired Hall in a one-for-one trade in
the leading receivers for people and being good He has been in and out of 2016, sending defenseman Adam Larsson to Edmon-
the Patriots with 20 catches to work with and to talk to the league since, was re- ton. They got a playoff appearance out of it in 2018
for 287 yards and a touch- and deal with on a regular leased by New England and flipped him into an attractive package to sup-
down through six games. basis he was great," Carroll earlier this season and plement their future.
But he was placed on in- said. "We were not aware signed with Seattle in No- The 19-year-old Bahl is a 6-foot-7 defenseman who is
jured reserve with knee that there was anything to vember. playing with Ottawa (OHL). He has five goals and 15
and ankle injuries and was be concerned about, oth- This is the eighth time in his assists and is a plus 20 in 28 games with the 67's, The
released in late October. er than the history, which career Gordon has been British Columbia native was Arizona's second-round
Seattle stepped in and we knew about." suspended by the league pick in the 2018 draft.q
claimed the oft-troubled Gordon spoke last week or by his team.q