Taylor Hall is determined to prove himself. The former Edmonton Oilers player, now a veteran with the Chicago Blackhawks, was recently scratched from the lineup without much explanation, aside from needing extra practice to increase his readiness. However, he made a strong comeback, scoring a hat trick on Wednesday night, driving the Blackhawks to a decisive 6-2 victory against the Dallas Stars.
This performance held particular significance for Hall, considering his recent challenges, including being scratched—a situation he felt was poorly communicated by head coach Luke Richardson. Despite the hat trick, Hall knows it likely won’t change his standing with the Blackhawks. There are concerns that the team may not re-sign him at the season’s end and might consider trading him as the NHL Trade Deadline approaches. Additionally, he was disappointed that no one was there to witness his strong performance.
“I wish I had my family here,” Hall remarked after the game, indicating his mixed feelings about his standout night. While it was an important moment, he missed the opportunity to share it with loved ones, which suggests he is grappling with his role on the team and his future.
Hall hasn’t explicitly stated he’s unhappy in Chicago, but previous reports imply he might be concerned about his situation. “I’d love to stay and be part of this,” he said weeks ago. “I’ve moved around quite a bit, maybe more than I would’ve liked, but it’s led me to some amazing experiences. I really like this team, the organization, and the group of guys we have. I think I can contribute as we continue to grow.” These thoughts came before he was unexpectedly scratched.
Discussions have surfaced about a potential trade to the Edmonton Oilers, where Hall previously played. Given his scoring ability, the question arises: could a return to the Oilers help enhance their depth? With five goals so far this season, Hall’s scoring ranks third among Edmonton forwards, only behind Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. His speed and scoring knack are exactly what the Oilers have been searching for.
It’s surprising that scoring has become a concern for the Oilers this season, particularly with some recent injuries affecting players like Zach Hyman and Viktor Arvidsson.
As Hall faces impending unrestricted free agency, he presents an appealing rental option for teams seeking playoff support. With the Blackhawks in rebuilding mode, they likely won’t ask for a hefty return for the veteran winger and may be willing to retain salary, as they have one slot available for this.
However, Hall’s $6 million cap hit could be a hurdle for the cap-strapped Oilers.
As for potential transactions, it seems unlikely he would accept a trade since he signed with the intention of reaching the playoffs for the first time in his career. One possibility is Jeff Skinner, whose time in Edmonton hasn’t gone as planned with only four goals and seven points this season, matching Hall’s salary number if Hall’s contract were partially retained.
Skinner has a no-movement clause, so that would require preliminary discussions.
Ultimately, the question remains whether Hall would even want to return to Edmonton. The management has changed since his departure, which likely eliminates any hard feelings, but Hall may be looking to move forward and may have closed that chapter of his career despite his friendship with McDavid.
