Former Buffalo Sabres left wing Taylor Hall (4) during warmups before a game against the Washington Capitals at KeyBank Center. Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

Taylor Hall says Boston was No. 1 on his list: 'I'd love to be a Bruin for a few years'

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 4/12/21

It appears Taylor Hall has wanted to play for the Boston Bruins for a long time.

The newly acquired B's winger told reporters on Monday that Boston was No. 1 on his trade list and that he'd "love to be a Bruin for a few years," according to NESN's Mike Cole and NHL.com's Amalie Benjamin.

He added that he came "really close" to signing with the Bruins during the offseason, but things didn't work out.

Taylor Hall: "I’d love to be a Bruin for a few years."
— Amalie Benjamin (@AmalieBenjamin) April 12, 2021

Taylor Hall sounds open to being in Boston for the long term.

Also: "I was ready to be a Bruin and just some other things didn't work out. It was not like any hard feelings or anything like that. Once I knew there was a possibility I'd be traded, Boston was No. 1 on the list"
— Mike Cole (@MikeColeNESN) April 12, 2021

Taylor Hall says he came "really close" to signing with the Bruins this offseason: "I was ready to come to Boston, and it didn't work out."
— Mike Cole (@MikeColeNESN) April 12, 2021

The Bruins acquired Hall from the Buffalo Sabres on Monday in exchange for Anders Bjork and a 2021 second-round pick. The deal also sent Curtis Lazar to Boston.

Hall has been a consistent 50-plus point scorer for a majority of his NHL career. However, the 29-year-old struggled this season with the Sabres, recording just two goals and 17 assists in 37 games.

It's unclear where he'll slot into the Bruins lineup, but he's projected to play somewhere in the top six alongside Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron, David Pastrnak and David Krejci.

Hall told reporters that he plans to drive from Buffalo to Boston on Monday and isn't expecting to be subject to quarantine, meaning he'll likely make his Bruins' debut against his former team on Tuesday night.

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