Sabres: What should we expect to see from Taylor Hall in 2021?
What should the Sabres and their fans expect to see from newly acquired forward Taylor Hall in this upcoming season?
Probably the biggest roster addition the Buffalo Sabres made this offseason was adding free agent forward Taylor Hall. Hall signed a one-year deal worth $8 million back in October. Many thought Hall was going to sign with a team that could be an immediate Stanley Cup contender, and it came as a surprise when he signed with Buffalo.
It is very easy to get excited about this signing if you are a Sabres fan. As it seems obvious that Hall will be on the top line with Jack Eichel. This has the potential to be an unstoppable duo. Especially if Hall can return to his MVP level of play.
The biggest question mark surrounding Taylor Hall is if he can stay healthy. Hall has not played more than 35 games in a season since the 2017-2018 season.
His last full season was his Hart Trophy winning season, where he put up 39 goals and 54 assists in 79 games. If he can give the Sabres an entire season, even if it is a shortened season, I expect him to make a very positive impact in Buffalo.
I would not be surprised if we see Hall produced a new career-high for points per game this season. Being on a line with Eichel is probably the best pairing he has been a part of in his career.
He previously played for the Arizona Coyotes for part of last year, the New Jersey Devils from 2016 to partway through the 2019-2020 season, and before that he was with the Edmonton Oilers from 2010 through 2016. The only player comparable to current day Jack Eichel that Hall has been on a team with was 19-year-old Connor McDavid in Edmonton in the 2015-2016 season.
It is nearly impossible to give accurate estimations on stats for this upcoming season due to the nature in which it is being played, with the shortened schedule and division realignment. But with that being said, I expect Hall to be top three in goals and assists for Buffalo this season.
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If for some reason you aren’t already excited for this season, this is a signing that should get Sabres fans very excited. Hall has so much potential he could add to this team, and hopefully, he sticks around for longer than his one-year contract.