Last season, Taylor Hall was sidelined from the NHL while recovering from a knee injury, so when he scored his 700th career point on Tuesday night, he was surprised.
“I had no idea,” Hall remarked.
His main focus was simply on staying healthy and feeling strong during the early weeks of the season, as last year was particularly challenging.
Just three weeks after joining the Blackhawks and playing alongside fellow No. 1 draft pick Connor Bedard, Hall suffered an ACL tear that required surgery. This setback was disappointing for both Hall and the Hawks, compounding their injury woes. He aimed to make a strong impact and help ease the burden on Bedard.
Hall’s recovery was lengthy and largely isolated from the Blackhawks, his teammates, and sometimes even his family. He rented an apartment in suburban Philadelphia, spending 10 to 12 days each month there to rehab with a multi-sport expert on ACL injuries, following advice from his personal trainer, Andy O’Brien. He credited his wife, Rachel, for supporting and encouraging him to pursue this unconventional rehab approach, which is more common in other sports.
Three months post-surgery, he was back on the ice and felt fully recovered by May. Although there was talk of him trying to play for Team Canada at the World Championship in Czechia, he opted to take his time.
“If we were a playoff team, I would’ve returned at some point,” Hall said. “But I was able to push myself gradually, and by training camp, I knew I was truly ready, which felt good.”
This is a significant year for both Hall and the Blackhawks, who aim to make strides in Year 2 of the Bedard Experience. Now at 32, Hall is in the final year of his four-year, $24 million contract that was signed in Boston, leading to his arrival in Chicago as a salary cap casualty.
There’s a noticeable change in atmosphere at the United Center this season. The Hawks have added experienced veterans like Teuvo Teravainen, Tyler Bertuzzi, Ilya Mikheyev, Pat Maroon, and Craig Smith to support Bedard and others. Hall, who only played 10 games last season, feels he was almost overlooked as a new addition.
“We definitely needed some extra support,” Hall stated. “The players we’ve brought in are seasoned professionals. We’ve gained a lot of experience, which is crucial for fostering a positive culture as we help the young guys develop. The vibe has improved; we’re competitive in every game and continuing to grow.”
Currently, coach Luke Richardson has assigned Hall the task of leading his own line, and the 2018 Hart Trophy winner is impressed by how Bedard is handling the pressure of being in the spotlight. Hall has already noticed an improvement in Bedard’s defensive awareness and his determination to become a well-rounded player.
“It’s tough to handle everything as an 18-year-old center,” Hall said. “He’s been doing an excellent job. We’ve all enjoyed being around him. His work ethic is contagious, but maybe a little overly so—he practices for at least an hour before games. He’ll likely learn to manage his energy better over an 82-game season, but we can’t fault his passion for hockey and desire to improve for the team.”
This development has Hall contemplating his future role with Chicago. He is eager to elevate his game and prove he can be more than just a transitional player during the team’s rebuild.
If given the option, Hall makes his intentions clear: he wants to stay in Chicago. Whether that desire is mutual remains to be seen.
“I’d love to remain a part of this,” Hall expressed. “I’ve moved around a lot more than I planned early in my career, but those experiences have introduced me to incredible people and have helped me grow. I enjoy being here, I appreciate the organization, and I really like this team and the camaraderie we have. I believe I can contribute as we continue to evolve. If they’re interested, I’d definitely like to be around and help build towards the future.”
