This week is going to be a busy one in the NHL. Monday started off with a major trade as the Chicago Blackhawks acquired Taylor Hall and the rights to Nick Foligno from the Boston Bruins.
In return for Hall and Foligno, the Blackhawks are sending the rights to defensemen Ian Mitchell and Alec Regula. Both players were unlikely to have much of a role with the franchise going forward, so the trade gives the Hawks some depth while helping the Bruins with their cap space issues.
Hall is coming off a 61-point season in 2021-22, but he only managed 36 points this past season. The former No. 1 overall pick has two years remaining on his four-year deal he signed with the Bruins and carries a $6 million cap hit each season.
As for Foligno, the veteran tallied 26 points in 60 games last season. Foligno was a two-way force with the Blue Jackets, but has played more of a depth role with the Bruins. Nonetheless, the former Blue Jackets captain brings a lot of veteran leadership to a roster in dire need of it.
The Blackhawks are sending Ian Mitchell and Alec Regula to Boston. Mitchell posted eight points in 35 games for Chicago. After being considered a top prospect when he was drafted in 2017, Mitchell never panned out to be the player he was expected to be. Regula, on the other hand, only suited up in four games for Chicago, spending majority of the season in Rockford. Regardless, both players seemed to be in need of some new scenery, so this trade provides that.
The trade only adds $6 million in cap space as of now. However, if the team reaches a deal with Foligno, which it sounds like they will given Kyle Davidson's comments, then that will add to the Hawks cap. Realistically, Foligno's deal won't be too lucrative, so there is still space for the team to add more cap casualties or sign some free agents to lucrative short-term deals.
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