Eichel said bringing in veterans like Hall and forwards Eric Staal and Cody Eakin will help the Sabres on and off the ice. Buffalo acquired Staal, 36, in a trade from the Minnesota Wild for forward Marcus Johansson on Sept. 16, and signed Eakin, 29, to a two-year, $4.5 million contract ($2.25 million average annual value) on Oct. 11.
"Whenever you can add people like Taylor Hall and Eric Staal and Cody Eakin to your roster and the locker room, they not only bring talent to the ice but also veteran presence to the locker room," he said. "In a situation like ours where we're trying to find a winning culture with a young group and trying to figure out the right way to do things at times, I think having older guys can help you out especially during periods of adversity.
"It's awesome."
Eichel said he and Hall have spoken several times and are looking forward to skating together and developing chemistry. Hall has scored 563 points (218 goals, 345 assists) in 627 NHL games, including 52 points (16 goals, 36 assists) in 65 games for the Devils and Arizona Coyotes last season.
Coach Ralph Krueger, who coached Hall with the Edmonton Oilers in 2012-13, said he plans to play him with Eichel and that the two have the potential to be a "lethal" combination.
"Taylor's familiar with Ralph and knows his personality, and I'm sure Ralph was one of the main reasons he wanted to sign here," Eichel said. "I'm sure that that had a huge, huge part of his decision.
"Obviously he's a super player and it seems like he's super excited about the situation. I think that that's one of the best parts. You want guys who want to be here.
"It takes a bit of pressure off me at times too. He's somebody who can do a lot on their own and can create a lot, create something from nothing. I think people forget too that he won the Hart Trophy as MVP two years ago."
