Taylor Hall is looking to finally plant roots somewhere for an extended period of time, and he wants that place to be Chicago.
The 32-year-old is hoping to stick with the Chicago Blackhawks past this season and had previously stated, “I’d love to stay and be part of this. I’ve moved around quite a bit, maybe more than I would’ve liked or planned at the start of my career.”
Hall can see something special is being built in Chicago with the team and all of the great moves. A number of good veterans were brought in this off-season to make the team better in every regard and the prospect pool for the Blackhawks is one of the very best in the league.
Chicago is Hall’s sixth team, playing for the Edmonton Oilers (6 seasons), New Jersey Devils (4 seasons), Arizona Coyotes (1 season), Buffalo Sabres (1 season), Boston Bruins (3 seasons), and Chicago (2 seasons).
Hall has only made it to the playoffs in five of his 15 seasons and has never played more than 11 games in any postseason. With the Blackhawks, it may take some more time, but this group has the potential to go on some deep runs and eventually hoist the Stanley Cup again.
Hall may not be in his prime, but his leadership and ability is still there, even if he is a bottom-6 player at that time and making less money. He was drafted first overall, played with four other first overall picks, has won the Hart Trophy, but has moved around a lot and has been on a number of bad teams.
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The Blackhawks have some good pieces to build around in the NHL already, but have even more strong prospects ready to make a difference in the next couple of years. Connor Bedard sped up the rebuild and with a talent like his leading the team, Chicago won’t stay at the bottom for long.
The Blackhawks could still use Hall on the team well into his 30s if he stays healthy and productive. He has two goals and six points in 13 games, but this is without the help of playing on the top power-play unit. The veteran is also shooting, hitting, and blocking shots, so he is really expanding his game to contribute in all areas.
Even if Hall wants to stay with the Blackhawks, at his age and with his injury history, the price and term has to be right as Chicago is looking to continue improving each season until they are at the top of the mountain.
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