Taylor Hall has not played for the Chicago Blackhawks since November 19th, 2023. Eight days later, he had a season-ending surgery to fix a torn ACL in his right knee. “Even an exhibition game is going to feel like something I haven’t done in a long time. That’s exciting,” said Hall, who is expected to play against the Detroit Red Wings in the Blackhawks’ preseason opener at United Center on Wednesday (8 p.m. ET). “In the last, I don’t know, 14-16 months, I’ve played 10 games, so I can’t wait to play games and be a hockey player again.” It was a frustrating wait for Hall who the Blackhawks signed from the Boston Bruins, along with forward Nick Folingo on June 26th, 2023. He was expected to be Connor Bedard’s linemate, but injuries limited him to 10 matches, where he had four points (two goals and two assists).  And it has been apparent since the beginning of camp, that the forward is ready to be a significant part of the Blackhawks this campaign.  “He’s all business right now, just the way we want to conduct ourselves as a team and he’s driving that pace out there,” Blackhawks coach Luke Richardson said of Hall. “That’s the way he likes to play. “I remember him in New Jersey being the MVP of the League (won the Hart Trophy in 2017-18) and that’s the way he played. We’re expecting him fully healthy to kind of continue getting to where he was just getting to when he got injured unfortunately in the early part of November.” Hall has 697 points (266 goals, 431 assists) in 832 matches for the Oilers, New Jersey Devils, Arizona Coyotes, Buffalo Sabres, Boston Bruins and Blackhawks.  Foligno said Hall has been “flying” during camp training. “His speed is so lethal and the size that he is (6-foot-1, 210 pounds), it’s a dangerous combination when you have him flying down the wing,” said Foligno, who was named Blackhawks captain Sept. 18. “I’m sure [Bedard] is excited to have him and whoever plays with him. He’s a guy who can drive a line himself too. I’m thrilled for him that he’s back around the guys and playing hockey, which he loves.” Bedard discussed with Hall a lot last term about the expectations of being a No.1 pick, something he knew weekly. They teamed up early, with Hall getting the primary assist on Bedard’s first NHL goal, a wraparound in a 3-1 defeat to the Bruins on October 11th, 2023.  “He’s obviously a great player and someone we really missed last year, not only on the ice, but in the room as well,” Bedard said. “He’s a guy everyone really likes, really respects. Having a guy like that, another leader in our room, is going to be huge, and then he’s going to make a big impact for us on the ice.” To prepare for the season, Hall trained in Vail, Colorado with other players such as Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid, Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby, Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon and Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner.  He said he trained in Vail in the past, before COVID-19. “It’s the highest elevated hockey rink in North America, so that’s about as tough of skates as you can get. But it was fun,” Hall said. “I just wanted to go and test myself against some of the best players in the League and at that altitude, so that was a time of fun and really was a measuring stick for how my knee felt, how my cardio was and how I felt as a hockey player. Hopefully that can give me a good push coming into this year.” He said he was anticipating the training camp schedule even before it was released. Missing most of last term was hard for him, but the urge to get back on the ice, to play matches again, has been building. Now he’s ready to go. “It’s special for me and it really brings a lot of things to light,” Hall said. “It makes me be appreciative to be out here because I missed so much time. If there’s any positives I can take, it’s just the clarity and gratitude that I have to just be playing hockey again because I love it and I think it’s kind of what I was born to do. So to be back out here again is just a blast.”

The 2024-25 NHL training camp has begun, and there’s already some development in the Toronto Maple Leafs camp. Auston Matthews has exited halfway through practice. Matthews departed on Tuesday due to what coach Craig Berube described as an “upper-body thing,” although he said the issue is nothing to be concerned about.  “It’s nothing serious,” Berube said. “He should be fine.” The Toronto captain centered a line between left winger Steven Lorentz and right winger Mitch Marner before leaving practice.  Matthews scored one goal and was plus-1 in his preseason debut, a 6-5 overtime defeat to the Ottawa Senators on Sunday.  Forward Calle Jarnkrok missed practice on Tuesday and is day to day with a lower-body injury Jarnkrok was minus-1 Sunday. Lorentz, who is going to the Maple Leafs training camp on a professional tryout, went to practice for the first time since September 19th, missing the last three day due to an upper-body injury.  Related: Peterka anticipates homecoming at Global Series Challenge Germany.

The Baltimore Orioles traveled through a thorny path, but they still arrived at their expected destination.  Baltimore are going into October with a postseason spot thanks to their 5-3 victory over the Yankees at Yankee Stadium and the Twins’ defeat to the Miami Marlins on Tuesday night. They are confident that they are yet to give their best performance.  “Our guys are really happy to take this step. But for us, we’re ready to go,” catcher Adley Rutschman said. “We’re trying to get better. We’re setting ourselves up for a playoff run right now, and I think our guys are just really excited to get going.” In 2023, the Orioles fought its way to 101 victories without many challenges. They were never swept. They never lost more than four straight matches. They cruised to their first American League title since ‘14 and first postseason appearance since ‘16.  In 2024, the Orioles’ ride was not as smooth. They have had sweeps. There were two five-game losing streaks. The second half has been filled with problems due to lots of injuries and inconsistent play.  “I’m so proud of this group,” manager Brandon Hyde said in his pre-celebration speech to the O’s. “We have dealt with so much crap the last three months. And you guys continue to fight.” Much of the Orioles season’s first half was like a continuation of last year. They were a season-high 24 matches above .500 (49025) on June 20, when they defeated the Yankees, 17-5, and sent the message that they were once again a threat in the AL East.  However, Baltimore could not establish a lot of momentum at any time in the second half, during which it was 29-32. It has not won more than three matches in a row since before the All-Star break. Similarly, it has not conceded more than three in a row over that span, either.  The O’s suffered from injuries throughout the summer, with many key players – All-Star infielder Jordan Westburg, first baseman Ryan Mountcastle, right-hander Grayson Rodriguez, missing crucial periods of time.  “We came into the year, very high expectations, and those expectations were kind of there through July. And then, we hit a skid, and I think the expectations dropped and a little bit of nervousness set in,” general manager Mike Elias said. “Now, we’ve got the biggest milestone here. … It’s possible that we enter into the playoffs with a little different flow than we had last year. At least that’s my hope.”