A few days ago, it looked as if St. Louis was looking towards selling but things may have changed. They sit one point out of the final playoff spot in the West Division and are coming off a 9-1 thrashing of Minnesota on Friday night. With that in mind, TSN’s Frank Seravalli reports that the Blues have inquired about one of the top rentals available in Buffalo winger Taylor Hall.
Hall’s struggles this season have been well-documented as the 29-year-old has just two goals along with 17 assists, hardly the type of production that he or the Sabres were expecting this season. It’s also nowhere near close to justifying his $8MM price tag which is why Buffalo is expected to retain as much as the maximum 50% to facilitate a trade between now and Monday’s trade deadline. Hall is also willing to entertain extension talks as well, Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston reported on Thursday (Twitter link).
St. Louis doesn’t have the cap space to take on a $4MM deal after retention but they do have a winger who appears to be on the outs in Mike Hoffman. He has also struggled with his new team, notching nine goals with a dozen assists in 36 games, well below the 36 and 29 goals he tallied in each of the last two years when he was with Florida. If they were to include him in a trade for Hall and Buffalo retained half, there would be no cap change on either side.
Of course, the question would then become what other asset(s) would be added by St. Louis to make such a move palatable for the Sabres. While it’s possible (if not probable) that Buffalo would turn around and flip Hoffman in this particular scenario, they’d still be looking for other picks or prospects.
GM Kevyn Adams has been seeking a first-round pick for Hall but so far, there haven’t been any takers. If that doesn’t change over the next couple of days, a move like this that would yield another piece or two plus whatever they can get by flipping Hoffman could become more of a legitimate possibility while St. Louis could become a very intriguing team in the playoff chase in the process.
Considering the numbers, Hoffman has out produced Hall. This trade wouldn’t make much sense to me. At all
Exactly. I’m a Blues fan, as you said this trade wouldn’t make much sense. If Hall’s production was better I could see a fit. Still wouldn’t be worth a first rounder that Buffalo wants.
I think the interest there is because of the ceiling Hall brings to the table. Former MVP, etc. Lets face it, anyone currently playing in Buffalo can’t be very motivated.
Well if the Sabres could dump Hall and Skinner on someone, that would be a win
Even if they have to eat contracts to get something done
Plus, the Sabres need to bring back Lindy Ruff
It’s a National Disaster in Buffalo, or if that is too much, it is a Clown Show at the very least.
How is a “National” Disaster only located in one city?
Trust me Skinner is an epic disaster and maybe it has reached international proportions
I so lol’d at this. Thanks
I also dont see how hall helps over Hoffman. Similar players, non similar contracts. Plus Hoffman is out producing hall at half the price. Hall plays the same style as hoffman. If hoffman averaged 18 mins a night hed be a point per game producer no problem.
Maybe a change of scenery for both might help. Obviously Hoffman doesn’t fit the Blues’ system but maybe Hall would. That’s just my take.
This feels like a “well at least we tried SOMETHING” approach.