The Chicago Blackhawks traded forward Taylor Hall in a three-team deal with the Colorado Avalanche and Carolina Hurricanes, the team announced late Friday.
The trade involves sending Hall and Mikko Rantanen to the Hurricanes, with the Hawks retaining half of Rantanen’s $9.25 million cap hit. One of the Avs’ top forwards, Rantanen’s contract expires this season.
The Avalanche received Martin Nečas and Jesperi Kotkaniemi as part of the deal, and the Hurricanes return the 2025 third-rounder that the Hawks traded away to acquire a 2024 third-round pick. The Hawks used that pick (No. 92) to select forward Jack Pridham.
Hall’s $6 million cap hit makes the retention of Rantanen’s salary ($4.625 million) basically a wash, with the Hawks coming out slightly ahead ($1.375 million) and getting something for Hall, who’s contract expires after the season.
The Hawks also conferred the rights to unsigned 2022 draft pick Nils Juntorp, a winger, to the Hurricanes.
Hall, 33, finished his Hawks season with nine goals and 15 assists in 46 games, ranking fifth on the team with 24 points. He was scratched before Friday’s game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at the United Center.
After a 4-3 overtime loss, Hall’s former teammates expressed mixed feelings about the trade.
Said captain Nick Foligno, whom the Boston Bruins traded to the Hawks along with Hall in 2023: “He’s one of my closest friends in the league … and it’s always hard because there are families involved and friendships.
“In the same breath, it’s the business we understand, and when you’re not where you’re supposed to be (in the standings) and guys are on expiring contracts, it’s the harsh reality of decisions that management has to make. It (stinks). We have no one else to blame but ourselves really in putting ourselves in the situation where they have to start thinking about the future and selling off.”
Added rookie forward Frank Nazar: “Hallsy was great to me. … He’s a very competitive guy, so happy he’s going to go and be able to play (for a contender) and hopefully make a push. But he gave a lot of great advice and had a lot of good things to say, so just thankful for the opportunity to play with him and be able to be on his team.”
Blackhawks left wing Taylor Hall (71) is congratulated after scoring against the Blues in the NHL Winter Classic on Dec. 31, 2024. at Wrigley Field. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
It was a tumultuous 1½ years for Hall in Chicago. His Hawks career consisted of just 56 games with 11 goals and 17 assists.
Two summers ago, his trade from the Bruins to the Hawks came as a shock, but he eventually embraced as role as on-ice mentor for Connor Bedard.
But Hall played only 10 games last season because of shoulder and knee injuries. He had an up-and-down performance this season, one that included a surprise scratch in November from now-fired coach Luke Richardson.
Hall admitted it was a mental blow but he later had his first hat trick in 11 years on Nov. 27 against the Dallas Stars.
But with the team floundering at the bottom of the standings, rumors that the Hawks brass would be on the hunt for trades only grew louder, and Hall was the prime candidate. The 15-year NHL veteran addressed the rumors last week.
“It’s a business, and I guess we’ll see what happens,” Hall said at the time. “I’m just trying to play as good a hockey as I can, and wherever they play me, that’s what I’m going to do.
“I came into this year wanting to continue being a Blackhawk for years to come. I don’t know if that’s going to be the case anymore, but I’ll leave that door open for sure and understand that it’s a business and the team is going to do what’s best for them.”
Throughout the season’s difficulties, Hall remained professional, members of the Hawks said.
Interim coach Anders Sorensen said Hall has “had some good insight in terms of ideas — especially offensively, right? But really good pro. Didn’t play as much as he wanted at times maybe, but we had good conversations so he was really good about everything.”
Added Foligno: “He came in here and gave us everything he could. He had a tough go, too, coming back from an ACL surgery (in his right knee) and finding his way. … Carolina’s going to get a great player. I’m excited to see him get his footing and play on a team that’s going to make a push for the playoffs. He’s earned that right.”
Now the locker room has to turn to life without him.
“Everyone’s disappointed about the season right now, where we’re at, but we have an opportunity, the guys in this room, to rectify that,” Foligno said. “We have an opportunity, the next 30-something games to flip the script and feel good about ourselves, so that’s what our focus is.
“We wish Hallsy the best. I know we’ll keep in touch with him, but our focus is still in this room.”
The Hawks now have nine selections in the 2025 draft: two in the first round, two in the second, one in the third, two in the fourth, one in the fifth and one in the sixth.
Originally Published: January 24, 2025 at 9:18 PM CST
