Blackhawks acquire Taylor Hall from Bruins to begin busy draft week
The Blackhawks acquired forward Taylor Hall from the Bruins on Monday.
Jamie Sabau/Getty Images file photo
Taylor Hall, a man who knows quite a bit about handling the pressure of being a No. 1 overall pick, is coming to the Blackhawks.
The Hawks kicked off their busy draft week by acquiring Hall from the Bruins on Monday, adding a new first-line teammate and mentor for Connor Bedard — two days before their selection of Bedard will become official.
The Hawks also acquired the rights to forward Nick Foligno and sent the rights to defensemen Ian Mitchell and Alec Regula to the Bruins in exchange.
At age 31, Hall — formerly the top pick in 2010 — isn’t the MVP-caliber superstar he once was for the Oilers and Devils, but he remains a strong playmaking winger. He produced 61 points in 81 games for the Bruins in 2021-22, then 36 points in 61 games in a lower-playing-time role in 2022-23 (before adding eight points in seven playoff games).
Nonetheless, given the NHL’s ridiculously tight salary-cap situation at the moment, Hall’s $6 million cap hit for the next two years proved problematic enough for the Bruins to shed him for very little return. With the Hawks, however, his salary will actually help the team reach the cap floor.
Foligno, 35, is a pending unrestricted free agent, but the Hawks appear intent on signing him before Saturday. The former Blue Jackets captain brings more than 1,000 games of NHL experience and recorded 26 points in 60 games for the Bruins last season.
“We are thrilled to be adding players of Nick’s and Taylor’s caliber to our organization,” Hawks general manager Kyle Davidson said in a statement. “The two bring a wealth of experience and leadership that will strengthen not only our forward group but [also] aid in the development of our entire roster.”
Mitchell was destined for a change of scenery after his once-hyped Hawks tenure flamed out this past season; he struggled mightily in 35 games of NHL action.
It’s more surprising to see the Hawks move on from Regula this soon, but their wealth of defensive prospects makes his departure easier to stomach.
This story will be updated.