Insider Links Taylor Hall Back to Old Team in Trade… Sort of

While it’s not yet guaranteed that Taylor Hall will be traded by the Chicago Blackhawks ahead of the NHL Trade Deadline, Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic believes “that’s the most logical course of action for the veteran pending unrestricted free agent.”

Hall has struggled a bit this season in Chicago. The team made a coaching change and while that will likely benefit Hall, at 33, his future with the Blackhawks isn’t clear. LeBrun writes in Part 2 of his matchmaker series that “something tells me that a move to a Cup contender might ignite a little flash from the former Hart Trophy winner.”

Calling Hall one of the smartest players in the NHL, there should be a market for him if the Blackhawks made him available and are willing to retain some salary in a trade. LeBrun writes:

“If the Hawks are willing to eat some of Hall’s $6 million cap hit, there’s no question in my mind there will be a market for him. Hall has a modified no-trade clause, so his agent, Darren Ferris, could have a role in helping the Hawks find a suitor.”

Who Is LeBrun Linking Hall to in a Trade?

Interestingly, LeBrun has Hall going back to an old team, in a manner of speaking. The Utah Hockey Club was once the Arizona Coyotes, where Hall played 35 games in 2019-20. No longer in Arizona, the team is off to a solid start in Utah, but could use a little help.