When news broke that prized free agent winger Taylor Hall was signing with the Buffalo Sabres Sunday night, the first reaction from many across hockey was to be surprised.

Hall, who turns 29 in November, had been connected in rumours to playoff regulars like the Avalanche, Bruins and Predators. The Sabres, who hold the longest playoff drought in the league at nine seasons, were barely considered.

But on Monday, the former first-overall pick went out of his way to explain his decision to sign in Buffalo and it became very clear that this was a match that makes sense on many levels.

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