Sabres holding key trade asset Taylor Hall out of lineup versus Devils
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The Buffalo Sabres are making an effort to prevent value from continuing to slip from their grasp.
Interim head coach Don Granato confirmed with reporters Tuesday morning that forward Taylor Hall, the beleaguered club's key trade asset ahead of its pre-deadline liquidation sale, will not be in the lineup versus the New Jersey Devils for precautionary reasons.
Hall has been rumoured to be on the move in a deadline deal since signing his one-year, $8 million agreement in Buffalo in the offseason. Unfortunately for the Sabres, his value has cratered in the 37 games since, as the former Hart Trophy winner has been limited to just two goals and 19 points for the last-place team in the NHL's East Division.
TSN's Darren Dreger reported Monday night that "talks have escalated" between interested parties and Sabres rookie GM Kevyn Adams, which is likely contributing to the decision to hold Hall out.
Hall could be the key domino in what has been a stagnant build-up to the April 12 trade deadline, however it's unlikely that we'll see feverish activity follow a deal involving the Sabres forward.
It seems there are only a handful of sellers, and even fewer teams with the financial flexibility to add, not to mention the border restrictions that will factor into the decisions of all seven Canadian-based clubs.
Still, a move involving Hall will be significant enough to chew on for a while, and will hopefully give the struggling former superstar new life.
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