Whenever I think about how an offseason signing in the NHL can impact the following trade deadline, I think of Taylor Hall.
Please recall back in 2020 when the talented left wing didn't find the long-term contract he wanted during his first foray into unrestricted free agency. So he decided to maximize his earning potential with an $8 million, one-year deal with the Buffalo Sabres. Maybe he could help them contend. Maybe they could help him pump his stats for another run at the UFA market.
Instead, the Sabres were terrible and Hall managed just two goals and 17 assists in 37 games.