Taylor Hall Talking Contract Extension With 'New' Team

The Taylor Hall sweepstakes are almost over as the Buffalo Sabres have held the left-winger out of the lineup as they close in on a trade. The deadline to make the move is 3pm eastern on Monday and from all accounts the trade will be done before time expires. It also sounds like Hall's trade will have a contract extension announcement tied to it as according to Chris Johnston of Sportsnet, Hall is open to extending a deal with his new team.

Taking away his 'rental' tag and mentioning to teams he's willing to sign long-term will help the Sabres significantly. This will allow the team to up the price and they should now be able to receive a first-round pick back in any deal.

Hall has been kept out of two straight games and has started to pack up his stuff. This season has been rough for Hall who took a huge gamble going to Buffalo on a one-year deal, and needless to say it hasn't work out for anyone. Two goals and 17 assists in 37 games is some of the worst hockey the 29-year-old ever played and he'll be excited for the next chapter of his playing career, which should include some playoff action this season.

Teams involved in trade talks include the Florida Panthers, Boston Bruins, Edmonton Oilers, Colorado Avalanche and Toronto Maple Leafs. All have different levels of interest and some are willing to give up more than others to get a deal done.

It won't be long before Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams pulls the trigger on his biggest trade yet.