The past few seasons have been challenging for Chicago Blackhawks forward Taylor Hall, and a recent decision to make him a healthy scratch has raised further doubts about his performance. In his second season with the Blackhawks, the 33-year-old Hall has struggled significantly.
After an ACL injury limited him to just 10 games during the 2023-24 season, Hall was eager to make a substantial impact this year. However, in 17 games played, he has delivered only two goals and four assists, totaling six points. Following his scratching from the lineup, questions about Hall’s future with the team have emerged. Elliotte Friedman from the 32 Thoughts Podcast suggested that if the Blackhawks aren’t utilizing him, they should seek a trade.
“When you have a player in the last year of their deal,” Friedman commented, “the team needs to determine whether he’s part of their future or better suited elsewhere.”
Hall had initially signed a four-year contract with the Boston Bruins before the 2021-22 season but was traded to the Blackhawks after two years. Now in the final year of that contract, Hall has only played 27 games with Chicago, and this number may not increase significantly. Friedman believes Hall deserves regular playtime, but for some reason, things aren’t working out in Chicago.
“If he’s not going to play, the Blackhawks need to look for another opportunity for him,” Friedman stated.
Despite his recent struggles, there’s still potential for Hall to be a valuable asset, especially if he joins a more competitive team. Over his career spanning 849 games, he has scored 268 goals and provided 435 assists for a total of 703 points.
Hall was expected to serve as a veteran leader and contribute alongside promising star Connor Bedard, but he has yet to fulfill those expectations. The Blackhawks are still several years away from becoming serious NHL contenders, and they hoped to make progress this season. However, after 18 games, they find themselves at the bottom of the league with a 6-11-1 record, accumulating just 13 points. Bedard has only scored three goals, and starting goalie Petr Mrazek leads the league in losses.
As the season progresses and trade discussions heat up, Hall will be a player to watch. Unless the healthy scratch motivates him to improve, it’s likely that his name will appear in trade rumors frequently in the upcoming months.
