Taylor Hall has faced health challenges in recent years, but his strong start to the new season is making him a viable trade option for Chicago.
The Chicago Blackhawks are not anticipated to have a successful season despite acquiring several leading players during the off-season, mainly due to their limited young talent aside from superstar Connor Bedard. One of the newcomers aimed at supporting Bedard is Taylor Hall, another former No. 1 pick, who was restricted to just 10 games last season after suffering a severe injury.
Currently, the 32-year-old seems to have returned to form, having participated in all six games this season. Although he has only recorded one goal and one assist so far, that is understandable considering his recovery from injury. With his health steadily improving, he is becoming a credible trade candidate for the Blackhawks, who originally brought him in as a cap dump from Boston last season. If he continues to progress, he could be an excellent addition to a contending team’s second or third line.
Given his history of injuries (Hall has exceeded 65 games only twice since 2019), he may never regain his former peak performance. However, his experience and potential output when fit are likely to attract attention as the trade deadline approaches. Since being the first overall pick by Edmonton in 2010, Hall has tallied 267 goals and 432 assists in 838 games, and it’s uncertain how much those numbers could have increased had he maintained good health.
The 2024-25 NHL Season is still in its early stages, so no specific trade targets for the former Hart Trophy winner have emerged yet. Still, if he can come close to replicating his prime performance, he could be a valuable asset for many teams in the league. After moving between Buffalo, Boston, New Jersey, and Chicago in the last five years, it’s encouraging to see Hall healthy and playing this season with the Blackhawks.
While he is focused on staying on the ice and proving his ability at the NHL level, his situation is one worth monitoring for other teams and fans as they pursue the ultimate goal in hockey.
