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Taylor Hall is one of the Chicago Blackhawks’ more underrated players this season. (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Taylor Hall Bringing More to the Hurricanes Than Anyone Expected

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers | By Alex Ohari | Last updated Mar 27, 2025 9:25 AM ET

Acquired in the same three-way deal that brought Mikko Rantanen to the Carolina Hurricanes with much more fanfare, Taylor Hall has emerged as the real gem of the deal for the team. He was brought to Raleigh for the price of only a 2025 third-round pick, as his stock had fallen playing on a Chicago Blackhawks team that had little success.

From the moment Hall arrived, it was glaringly obvious that he was both excited to be a Hurricane and that he was ready to work. In turn, his impact has been instant, and he’s emerged quickly as a fan favorite. At age 33, it’s almost like he’s been given a career resurgence — and it’s looking like he may be more than just a rental player as reports have said the team is well-engaged in contract extension talks.

Seamless System-Fit

The trade was sort of like a new lease on hockey life for Hall, who said after the deal happened that he was actually happy to be traded. His ice time in Chicago had dwindled despite being one of their reliable veteran players, and he was ready to move on to a team where his skill set would be put to better use. He’s scored just nine goals in 46 games for the Blackhawks this season, a far cry from what he’s shown capable of over his career.

Fast-forward to today, and Hall looks like a completely rejuvenated player. The main thing that’s stood out to me is his tenacity and aggression on the forecheck. The guy is an animal. He’s relentless in his pursuit of the puck in the corners, he’s shown a level of physicality that I hadn’t realized was still prevalent in his game, and he’s picked up the Canes’ high-pressure system very quickly. I think his transition has gone as good as anybody could have reasonably expected.

OH MY TAYLOR HALL pic.twitter.com/hxKrKgHznV
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) March 26, 2025

After a slow offensive start, he’s absolutely exploded recently, showing a run of form that he hasn’t matched in years. Over the past 10 games, he has six goals and four assists for 10 points — leading the team during that span. His explosion has also been beneficial for both Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Jack Roslovic, who are both playing some of their best hockey of the season alongside Hall. The trio have formed quite a reliable line — they’re creating consistent offense and have managed to hold up defensively thus far.

Should the Canes Extend Him?

Slated to be an unrestricted free agent (UFA) this coming summer, there have been rumors swirling that the Hurricanes have engaged in contract talks with Hall’s representatives, and those talks seem to be heading in a good direction. When he arrived, he said he was tired of moving around and was trying to find a long-term fit – which makes sense as he’s now on his sixth team within the last five years.

Taylor Hall is one of the Chicago Blackhawks’ more underrated players this season. (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

But does it make sense for the Hurricanes to re-sign him? At the right price and term, I really believe it does. You can never have too many quality hockey players on the team, and despite the fact he’ll be turning 34 later this year it appears Hall still has some good hockey left in him. He’s a player that can move up and down the lineup and contribute in a variety of roles, which makes re-signing him a worthy risk, assuming the contract length isn’t anything outrageous. He’s a well-respected veteran and, at this point, hasn’t played a ton of playoff hockey (just 39 games in his career), so he should be super motivated to make an impact on a team that’s set up to be a Stanley Cup contender for the next several seasons.

Overall, both the Hurricanes and Hall have to be ecstatic with how the trade has worked out so far. Hall has made an instant impact and has been an incredible fit on a team that’s been desperate for some secondary offensive contributors. For the player, he’s gone from a rebuilding organization in Chicago to a legitimate Cup contender, and can play a big part in that quest moving forward. As such, there is plenty of reason to assume that the partnership can be mutually beneficial moving forward, and both sides would be wise to get the contract extension sorted out prior to July 1.