It sounds like Taylor Hall would like to forget his time in Buffalo.
The five-time All-Star is experiencing a rebirth with the Boston Bruins, and on Monday, scored two goals, including the overtime winner in their victory over the New York Islanders. After the game, Hall was asked about Jack Eichel’s now-public rift with the Sabres over the handling of a herniated disk in his neck. Hall supported his former teammate unequivocally.
“I know Jack is frustrated,” Hall said after Monday's win. “Jack and I became really good friends during our time in Buffalo. I support him, and I know he’s gone through some stuff with the medical staff there and ultimately Jack has to worry about himself. … I support Jack and he was nothing but a great teammate and a really good friend when I played with him.”
Eichel said during his end-of-season conference call on Monday there was a “disconnect” between him and the Sabres over how to treat his season-ending neck surgery.
"I've been a bit upset about the ways things have been handled since I've been hurt," he said. "I'd be lying to say that things have moved smoothly since my injury. There's been a bit of a disconnect between myself and the organization.”
Eichel has reason to be upset. The Sabres have been a mess since they drafted him in 2015, employing four different head coaches and three different general managers in six seasons. Since Eichel entered the NHL, Buffalo owns the lowest regular-season points percentage of any team in the league (.444).
When the Sabres acquired Hall, there was reason to think he could form a dynamic offensive duo with Eichel. But that didn’t come to fruition, largely due to Hall’s own struggles. He was brutal on Buffalo, scoring just two goals in 37 goals.
Since the trade that sent Hall to Boston on April 12, he already has netted eight goals in 16 contests.
While Hall accepted blame for his poor performance, he hinted the environment in Buffalo wasn’t conducive to success.
“There were some really dark days this year in Buffalo,” Hall said. “I haven’t really talked a lot about it but I didn’t play well. I don’t have anyone else to blame for that, for my play in Buffalo. For myself, it just didn’t work out.”
Now we’ll see if it can work out with Eichel in Buffalo, or if he’ll be playing elsewhere next season, just like Hall.
