Taylor Hall is signing with Buffalo Sabres

[Axeman33]

I think his goal is to play for every crappy NHL team.

[hockeyrobot]

Because he chose the money instead of trying to become a winner. There's more to being a great hockey player than having skills.

What a shocker. Yep so obviously he didn't just want to win.

[butch]

not what I expected but I'm not going to jump the guy cause he chose the Sabres over Col.

if the sabres can sustain some of those surges they've had during some stretches these past few years they can be a WC team

[Call of Doughty]

This just in. Taylor Hall has formally asked for a release from the Buffalo Sabres.

[Pengwin7]

I still speculate that he made this move because Hall is starting to commit to the world of his gf (and their new DOG)... and their families.
His family/gf/dog will be in Southern Ontario. So 1.TOR, 2.BUF, 3.DET, 4.OTT... nearest geographical locations.

I don't think he wants to be in Buffalo long-term, hence the short contract.
I do think both TOR and DET know that Hall would be interested if they have interest back.
Toronto might have enough cap next year if they can a) Let Freddie walk, and patch in cheaper goalie... and b) Move Nylander for solid pieces.

Downside is... I really just don't think NHL teams are set-up to win cups with 3-4 enormous contracts.
It worked 5-15 years ago... for teams like PIT, WAS, CHI... but it doesn't seem to be working these days.
There's a lot of great young skating entering the league - and that now means that teams need full depth to cover that speed (STL, TB).

I still think Hall could sign with DET next summer.
(But if Toronto flounders again... that's a strong option for Dubas to try to save his ass by doing something radical.)

[Rato]

Adding another montrous contract to the Leafs payroll at the cost of the best goalie they had in more than a decade seems a wonderful idea. I honestly hope Dubas does that.

[chuckcouples]

Maybe but when you have to choose between a not great hockey player with great skill and another not great player without skill (because you can't be great without skills) you choose the first.

If this true, where is Josh Ho-Sang playing these days?

[audiopile]

My prediction : 50pts tops for Hall. Loser going to a loser team.

[loppantorkel]

My prediction : 50pts tops for Hall. Loser going to a loser team.

I'd bet against that, given that he plays at least 65 games.

Is it a fact that any contenders seriously were trying to bring him in? Maybe the reasonable offers were few. Buffalo might not be such a bad option for Hall.

[Axeman33]

My prediction : 50pts tops for Hall. Loser going to a loser team.

The only way this happens is if he's hurt half the season.

[tweetdrivr]

I think it’s a good move regardless of what else was out there. He gets to play for a season with arguably the second or third best center in the league. If he stays healthy his numbers should be great. It feeds his ego possibly - think about the adoration if the Sabres do manage a WC spot (why they haven’t acquired MAF already is beyond me). And then after one year, given the rather uncertain situation for the league and the cap etc. he makes another informed decision again next year. And to boot it sounds like it’s geographically desirable for him as well.

[Rato]

If this true, where is Josh Ho-Sang playing these days?

If your point is he won't fit in the locker room of a contender I can understand. But his ability to perform is beyond doubt, that alone will convince teams to give him a shot.

[Godin]

I love this. I didn't like him in Phoenix at all.

[rataylor22]

Because he chose the money instead of trying to become a winner. There's more to being a great hockey player than having skills.

Lmao

[Slick_Clyde]

I think I don't really like this. As a Sabres fan it's good to see splash and big moves, but I really don't think we needed another triple-A forward, even with the cap space we had. Terry and Kim already said they weren't going to go up to the cap anyway, so that made things a little tighter. I was pulling hard for Toffoli to slot in as a middle 6 guy, who is better on defense and who has played center before. I think one of my buddies said it best, that they would rather have 25 goals spread throughout the lineup than just tacked onto the top line. So, sure, Eichel and Hall will be fun to watch, but one line doesn't win games. Then there's the playoffs... yeah, we might make it whenever the next season is, but I would rather be a serious contender than just try for the playoffs and get bounced in the first or second round. Is that really success to some people? As a fan I would want to see someone who can distribute points and who wants to be part of a serious playoff run in 3-4 years, you know?