Sabres Might Be Looking at Trade-and-Sign Scenario With Taylor Hall

As per TSN’s Darren Dreger, the Buffalo Sabres are looking at all sorts of options and offers when it comes to Taylor Hall before the NHL Trade Deadline. Dreger reports that Hall’s agent, Darren Ferris has spoken with Buffalo Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams and the two sides discussed potential trade options for the 29-year-old left-winger. While the standard rental type trade is an option, there are some teams interested in a “trade and sign” scenario.

Related: Flyers Trying to Free Up Money For a Trade With Gostisbehere Waiver [Report]

Essentially, what that means is that a team would be talking with Hall prior to acquiring him about his interest in signing an extension after joining his new team. Whether that gets done immediately or after the season is unclear.

That means there are teams out there that either a) want Hall to consider waiving his no-move clause to join them and an extension is one to way to encourage him to do so, or b) they feel he’s got a lot more to offer than what he’s offered in Buffalo.

What Is The Real Asking Price and When Can We Expect a Hall Trade?

Hall has not been very good for the Sabres this season. But there are more than a few insiders who believe his environment is what’s holding him back, not his actual ability. While the Sabres are asking for a first-round pick for Hall, few are under the impression he fetches that before the deadline based on his season and salary. It would be interesting to see what terms an extension would look like for rival clubs looking at a trade-and-sign scenario. Any team willing to give up a first-rounder must think he’s got a ton of value still.

Meanwhile, Adams is also trying to determine what the asking price for Hall will be if there’s not as much interest as expected. Dreger notes that many teams will wait until the very last minute to acquire Hall if they’re going that direction because the longer they wait, the less of a cap hit he is on their books.

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