*Photo from the Buffalo News*
The Boston Bruins needed to address their scoring woes. They did so by nabbing a pair of Buffalo Sabres. The Bruins have acquired RW Taylor Hall and C/RW Curtis Lazar from the Sabres in exchange for LW/RW Anders Bjork and a second round pick, according to Pierre LeBrun of TSN. The Sabres are retaining 50 percent of Hall's salary. The deal has been confirmed.
Hall has had a dismal season so far with the Sabres after signing a one year deal at the start of free agency, scoring just 2 goals, but adding 17 assists in 37 games played with Buffalo. Hall has been healthy scratched for the last 4 games as a trade precaution, so he hasn't played since April 3. Hall has 220 career goals and 362 assists in 11 NHL seasons with the Edmonton Oilers, New Jersey Devils, Arizona Coyotes, and the Sabres.
Hall said in his introductory zoom meeting that "I don't want to set expectations too high, I want to come and win games. And I feel like I can help teams do that. Unfortunately, so far in my career, that hasn't happened. A fresh start, especially after the season that I've had and everything like that, the last five or six days, being away from hockey and being able to reflect, I still believe in myself a lot as a player."
Hall was the number one overall pick in the 2010 draft by Edmonton, but his career never really blossomed there, until the end, as the Oilers were always perennial draft lottery players. In his second season with the Devils, in 2017-2018, he scored a career high 39 goals and added 54 assists in 76 games played, winning the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP.
Lazar has only scored 5 goals and 4 assists in 33 games for the Sabres this season, which was the start of his 3rd season with the team. Lazar has been injured with an lower body injury since March 31, but is close to returning to game action. Lazar has one more season left on his contract, so he'll be a Bruin beyond this season. He has 25 goals and 45 assists in his 7 NHL seasons, spent with the Sabres, Ottawa Senators, and Calgary Flames.
Lazar said of joining Boston that "I always love playing Boston. They have that swag and that physicality which is a part of my game that I really pride myself in, is taking the body and setting the tone that way," said Lazar. "I kind of see myself as a perfect fit in that team in that regard. You play the right way, you let the puck do the work and you don't back down from anyone."
Bjork has suited up for 30 games with the Bruins this season, tallying two goals and 3 assists in that time. He has been a healthy scratch for 5 straight games, but figures to draw right into the Sabres lineup. He has 16 career goals and 23 assists in 138 games played across 4 seasons with the Bruins. Bjork has two seasons left on his contract.
The Bruins, who also acquired Mike Reilly from the Senators, figure to have Hall, Lazar, and Reilly in the lineup for their game Tuesday night, which, ironically, is against the Sabres. Bjork is also likely to play for the Sabres Tuesday night as well, as he did not have to leave Boston, which is where the game is being held.
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