By Mark Lazerus, Pierre LeBrun, Scott Powers and Fluto Shinzawa
The Chicago Blackhawks acquired forward Taylor Hall and the rights to unrestricted free-agent forward Nick Foligno in a trade with the Boston Bruins, the teams announced Monday. Here’s what you need to know:
- The Bruins received the rights to limited free agents Ian Mitchell and Alec Regula in exchange.
- The move will see Hall’s $6 million maximum cap for the 2023-24 season forfeited.
- Hall scored 16 goals and 36 points in 61 games for the Bruins last season. The 31-year-old, who was drafted No. 1 by Edmonton in 2010, was traded from Buffalo to Boston in April 2021.
- Foligno, who scored 26 points in 60 games last season, is expected to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
The Athletic’s instant analysis:
Where does Hall fit into the Blackhawks lineup?
Hall is the obvious choice to play alongside Connor Bedard, allowing the Blackhawks to separate Bedard and their other top youngster, Lukas Reichel (both Hall and Reichel are primarily left wingers). At 31, Hall may not be the same player he was when he won the 2018 Hart Trophy with the Devils, but he’s still a strong two-way player that gives Bedard a real weapon to work with. Hall scored five goals in seven playoff games this spring and has 36 goals in the last two seasons.
Foligno will be an unrestricted free agent on Saturday, but the Blackhawks can negotiate with him in the meantime about adding a little muscle and veteran know-how to the lineup. – Lacerus
Why the Bruins Hall traded
The Bruins liked Hall. He’s served them well, especially as their No. 3 left wing.
But at times he was strictly a five-on-five player. He didn’t make it into powerplay unit #2. He didn’t kill any penalties. In that sense, Hall was a luxury — and a 31-year-old on $6 million a year.
While their even-strength offense will suffer without Hall, it’s the price the Bruins feel is worth paying for the pursuit of cap flexibility. It is currently expected to be worth $11.5 million with 14 players under contract for 2023-24 expected to be added to the roster. Jeremy Swayman, Trent Frederic and Jakub Lauko are their upcoming restricted free agents – Shinzawa
Impact on the Blackhawks’ cap rank
The Blackhawks went into the starting lineup this week knowing they had to take some big steps toward the ceiling. This would be done either by trade or by free hand. It looks like they found the way through the trade. With players already signed for next season, Philipp Kurashev expected to be re-signed, and Bedard expected to be drafted and included in the NHL roster, the Blackhawks are estimated to need around $10 million to reach the cap.
Hall will take on much of it with a cap of $6 million. Foligno could take care of the rest. He’s close to becoming an unrestricted free agent, but you’d expect the Blackhawks to get him a contract before he hits the market. He signed a two-year deal that capped at $3.8 million. — Powers
How does the Mitchell and Regula trade affect Chicago?
Mitchell and Regula might not have long-term futures with the Blackhawks, but organizationally they filled the need for them as right-handed defensemen. With them gone, the Blackhawks’ only right-handed defenders are Seth Jones, Connor Murphy, Nikita Zaitsev and Louis Crevier.
The Blackhawks don’t have many in the pipeline either. Sam Rinzel is the lead man, but he’s at least a few years away from even turning pro. This could be an area the Blackhawks want to address in this draft and in free agency. — Powers
What’s next for the Bruins?
They can use the savings towards their future RFAs. They can also engage more freely in talks about the re-signing of Tyler Bertuzzi and Garnet Hathaway, both of which will be unreserved. Bertuzzi could take over some of Hall’s duties on the left wing. The ex-Red Wing is three years younger. Hathaway could be her right wing in the fourth row.
Both Mitchell, 24, and Regula, 22, are right-backs. They could be fighting for the opening created when Connor Clifton switches to a free hand. Clifton wants to stay in Boston. But Clifton also wants to establish its market value. Mitchell and Regula are restricted. – Shinzawa
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(Photo: Eliot J. Schechter/NHLI via Getty Images)