Taylor Hall traded to Chicago Blackhawks
Taylor Hall is once again on the move. The Chicago Blackhawks are acquiring the former Hart Trophy winner in what looks like a cap relief move for the Boston Bruins. They will get $6 million off the books by offloading Hall and the free agent rights to Nick Foligno. The return are the RFA rights to two prospects, according to Frank Seravalli.
Full trade, per sources:
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) June 26, 2023
To #NHLBruins: Rights to RFAs Ian Mitchell and Alec Regula.
To #Blackhawks: Taylor Hall, rights to UFA Nick Foligno.
No salary retained by Boston, this represents a pure salary dump to clear $6 million off Bruins' books.
It was a down year for Hall individually. Despite being part of the Bruins squad that set records in the regular season, the former No. 1 pick could only muster 36 points in 61 games. He’s not a complete scrub, but nowhere near the player he used to be. Check out what JFresh has:
Taylor Hall, traded to CHI, is a veteran playmaking winger who uses his speed and passing skill to create scoring chances but isn't especially good at finishing his own opportunities. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/N0k5693tnK
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) June 26, 2023
According to Spotrac, the Canadian has a $6 million cap hit for two more seasons. Could it be enticing enough for a team to give up some assets if Chicago retains half of that? Stranger things have happened. The Stanley Cups champs may even sniff around given their potential need for a new left winger.
A Fall For Hall
It’s still been quite the fall from grace for the former Oiler and Devil. His 2018 Hart Trophy was by far the pinnacle of his career. Ever since then, it’s been a downward spiral for the man Oilers fans once thought would be the savior of their franchise.
Part of it also has to do with him being a part of some terrible teams. Outside of 2017-2018, the Devils struggled mightily; factor in the laughingstock Oilers of the early 2010’s, the Arizona Coyotes and Buffalo Sabres, he’s had the misfortune of never coming close to a deep playoff run.
Furthermore, injuries and underperforming have highlighted his decline. Everyone thought the stars had finally aligned for Hall and the Bruins in 2023. However, it was not meant to be. He pitched in with eight points in seven games but the Florida Panthers spoiled their legendary season.
Taylor Hall has become the Bruins’ latest cap casualty. However, don’t expect this to be the last move this Summer for Boston or Chicago at all.
