Boston Bruins left wing Taylor Hall (71) reacts after his goal against the New Jersey Devils during the second period at Prudential Center. Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Bruins, Taylor Hall gaining momentum on new contract

By Erin Walsh | Last updated Jul 21, 2021 11:10 AM ET

Taylor Hall wants to stay in Boston, and the Bruins want to keep him around.

According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, the two sides are gaining momentum on a new contract as the offseason progresses.

"The momentum is gaining with Boston and Taylor Hall," Friedman writes in his latest notebook. "Word is Hall wants to stay and the Bruins want to keep him. Nothing is done until it's done, but there's a path."

Frank Seravalli of DailyFaceoff.com adds the expectation is Hall will remain in Boston, and he wouldn't be surprised to see the winger sign a four-year deal worth $6 million per season.

Hearing #NHLBruins have made meaningful progress with pending UFA Taylor Hall.

Expectation is Hall will indeed remain in Boston after the signing moratorium is lifted. Wouldn't be surprised to see a deal in the 4 years x $6 million neighborhood.

Stay tuned. @DFOHockey
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) July 21, 2021

The Bruins cannot finalize a deal with Hall before Wednesday night's expansion draft, as there is currently a league-wide freeze on transactions for every team besides the Seattle Kraken. After that, the Bruins will have a week to continue exclusive negotiations with Hall before he hits the open market on July 28.

Hall hinted last month that he might be willing to take a discount to remain in Boston. He was arguably Boston's best trade-deadline acquisition, as he scored eight goals and tallied 14 points in 16 regular-season games, while adding three goals and five points in 11 postseason games.

In addition to Hall, the Bruins also need to re-sign David Krejci, Tuukka Rask, Mike Reilly and Sean Kuraly, among others, this offseason. Free-agent defenseman Kevan Miller recently announced his retirement from hockey, and veteran netminder Jaroslav Halak confirmed earlier this month he and the Bruins were parting ways this summer.

Erin Walsh

Erin Walsh is a Boston sports fan through and through. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Bridgewater State University and currently is in pursuit of her Master's Degree in Journalism from Northeastern University. Follow her on Twitter @ewalsh90

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