Dan’s Daily: Hall Gambles on Buffalo, Pietrangelo Makes Vegas Wait

It’s not like the Pittsburgh Penguins could sign Taylor Hall, but his choice was surprising nonetheless. Of all teams with which Hall could sign a one-year deal, not many would have guessed the Buffalo Sabres. Alex Pietrangelo has not yet signed with the Vegas Golden Knights. What low-cost options at right-side defense remain for the Penguins on the NHL free-agent market, and is Florida about to pull another trade?

If the Pittsburgh Penguins hope to sign a free agent right-side defenseman, their options are dwindling. Here’s what remains (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

I teased it on Twitter Sunday night, but a first-hand source told us the Penguins have not contacted 39-year-old Ron Hainsey. It appears that we can scratch him off the list for now.

No one could match the Buffalo offer for Taylor Hall, including the expected front runner, Colorado Avalanche (Colorado Hockey Now)

Our Adrian Dater updated his story via Twitter later. Most teams who offered a one-year deal were in the $6.5 million range. When Buffalo went to $8 million, done deal.

The Buffalo News called the signing a “seismic” move (Buffalo News)

Hey, good on Buffalo. Those fans deserve a good team.

Vegas is close to moving Nate Schmidt, and Florida was the presumed destination (Florida Hockey Now)

Our buddy Mark Lazerus at the Athletic (we don’t let his choice of employment ruin stand in the way) reports that Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane the Chicago Core is NOT happy with GM Stan Bowman’s offseason (The Athletic)

Belle of the Ball Alex Pietrangelo has not yet decided if he wants to live in Las Vegas. No deal yet, BUT what does an NHL scout say about AP in Vegas?  (Vegas Hockey Now)

Derrick Brassard, Andy Greene, and Matt Martin have not yet re-signed in New York. They could…or they may not (NYI Hockey Now)

Jimmy Vesey signed in Toronto, Kyle Clifford in St. Louis, and Vlad Namestnikov in Detroit. Here are the latest signings (PuckPedia.com)

Later this morning, PHN will argue with itself. We will make a case for the Penguins free agent signings and offseason moves.