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.”
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