[Signing] Buffalo signs Taylor Hall (1 yr, $8 mil, NMC, NTC)

[flamingred89]

I like the amount of players betting on themselves this year.

I know I’m going to cheer hard for Eichel and Hall. Good players like that deserve good things, and Buffalo is farthest thing from a rival or divisional opponent for the Flames, So light it up boys.

[Vinny01]

I am not sure why I felt so convinced Hall was coming here but this result makes me think the Flames didn’t make a competitive offer. Who knows maybe Hall wanted to go somewhere for a year and he knows he gets to play with Eichel and play for one of his former coaches.

I thought there was a real chance for the Flames to add an elite talent in free agency and then move an asset that I think is 2 years from leaving for some very solid futures. It will be interesting to hear if the Flames made a pitch or if their focus was strictly on the goaltending and blueline.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

I am not sure why I felt so convinced Hall was coming here but this result makes me think the Flames didn’t make a competitive offer. Who knows maybe Hall wanted to go somewhere for a year and he knows he gets to play with Eichel and play for one of his former coaches.

I thought there was a real chance for the Flames to add an elite talent in free agency and then move an asset that I think is 2 years from leaving for some very solid futures. It will be interesting to hear if the Flames made a pitch or if their focus was strictly on the goaltending and blueline.

The only way it made sense for the Flames would have been long term though and it seems as though that isn't what Hall wanted

Gaudreau is under contract to the Flames twice as long and Hall to the Sabres

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Hall made a terrible decision that likely blows up in his face for sure...I just don't like giving the Leafs anything

Didn't make the playoffs don't forget...Brodie and Simmons put them over the top? doubt it

I hate the Leafs too. I don't think they win anything either.

But Hall chose to go to the team with the 25th best win % last season instead of going to the team with the 3rd best win % last season for $1.5 million more.

I pointed out how stupid that is, and then some clown came in here and brought up Brodie signing in TO like it's even remotely comparable. That's all that's going on, it's not a Leaf love fest, believe me.

[jesters91]

I'd like to know which team(s) were trying to move cap to sign Hall as reported. Then did the team have 2nd thoughts and choose a different path or was it used as part of Hall's negotiation tactic to try and drive up a short team deal?

It surely wasn't Buffalo shedding cap space.

[sureLoss]

Salim Nadim Valji
@salimvalji
On Taylor Hall - I'm told his hometown Calgary Flames expressed interest before signing Jacob Markström, but never made a formal Zoom pitch to him and his agent Darren Ferris

[Toonage]

Fine by me

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Salim Nadim Valji
@salimvalji
On Taylor Hall - I'm told his hometown Calgary Flames expressed interest before signing Jacob Markström, but never made a formal Zoom pitch to him and his agent Darren Ferris

lol

Going to give up Hanifin and Bennett for him and Vatanen, but won't sign him for free?

WTF?

[jesters91]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Salim Nadim Valji
@salimvalji
On Taylor Hall - I'm told his hometown Calgary Flames expressed interest before signing Jacob Markström, but never made a formal Zoom pitch to him and his agent Darren Ferris

It shouldn't come as much of a surprise with Tre's post elimination comments about upgrading in goal and figuring out the back-end with the number of UFA's on the team.

[jesters91]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

lol

Going to give up Hanifin and Bennett for him and Vatanen, but won't sign him for free?

WTF?

Bigger holes to fill...at least it sounds like that was where his priorities and focus was.

[dino7c]

If Hall was looking for short term it made ZERO sense for the Flames

Sign Hall short term and trade Gaudreau (who has a longer and cheaper contract)

[gvitaly]

I think it's a great signing for Buffalo. They either make the playoffs, or the will trade him for some great assets at the deadline. I am sure that Hall will be playing in the post season, despite his NMC. In addition, the trade restriction lets Hall pick which team he wants to play for. It seems like a win-win to me.

As for the Flames trading Gaudreau, and getting Hall. It was a good dream, but seemed unlikely. Why would a team trade the Farm for Johnny when they can simply bid on Hall. Johnny seems like a plan B for someone that just missed out on Hall.

[DazzlinDino]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

lol

Going to give up Hanifin and Bennett for him and Vatanen, but won't sign him for free?

WTF?

Maybe Flames had other pressing needs? We have been hunting for a 1a goalie for eons, no way the Flames could pass that up.

[TheChief]

Originally Posted by gvitaly

I think it's a great signing for Buffalo. They either make the playoffs, or the will trade him for some great assets at the deadline. I am sure that Hall will be playing in the post season, despite his NMC. In addition, the trade restriction lets Hall pick which team he wants to play for. It seems like a win-win to me.

As for the Flames trading Gaudreau, and getting Hall. It was a good dream, but seemed unlikely. Why would a team trade the Farm for Johnny when they can simply bid on Hall. Johnny seems like a plan B for someone that just missed out on Hall.

Dont give up hope . It still could very well happen next summer. Another flames fizzle in the post season and the brass will be looking to jettison Gaudreau before he goes UFA.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Salim Nadim Valji
@salimvalji
On Taylor Hall - I'm told his hometown Calgary Flames expressed interest before signing Jacob Markström, but never made a formal Zoom pitch to him and his agent Darren Ferris

I wonder if that is because they were told not to bother or they decided not to bother?

[Strange Brew]

When Gaudreau wasn’t moved by the draft, that pretty much eliminated any possibility of Flames pursuing Hall.

Trading Gaudreau is not like trading Nate Schmidt.

[TheChief]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

I wonder if that is because they were told not to bother or they decided not to bother?

I would assume it was because Tree had our cap space tapped out and didn't get what he thought were suitable offers for Sean and John.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

I wonder if that is because they were told not to bother or they decided not to bother?

I wonder if they were told he was looking for a short term deal...made no sense for Calgary.

Rumor around the webs is Montreal offered big term and money

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

The Flames have under $6m to fit 4 forwards and 2 defensemen. This wasn't an option.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

The Flames have under $6m to fit 4 forwards and 2 defensemen. This wasn't an option.