BREAKING TRADE: Taylor Hall Headed to Surprising Destination

We have a breaking trade alert, as several hockey insiders are reporting that the Boston Bruins are moving on from winger Taylor Hall, sending him in a trade to the Chicago Blackhawks. 

Full trade, per sources:

To #NHLBruins: Rights to RFAs Ian Mitchell and Alec Regula.

To #Blackhawks: Taylor Hall, rights to UFA Nick Foligno.

No salary retained by Boston, this represents a pure salary dump to clear $6 million off Bruins' books.

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) June 26, 2023

Per Frank Seravalli, Nick Foligno, a pending UFA, is also headed to Chicago, while the Bruins receive the rights to restricted free agents Ian Mitchell and Alec Regula. Seravalli calls it a pure salary dump for the Bruins, who clear a $6M cap hit from their books.

It appears that incoming generational talent Connor Bedard may have gotten himself another former No. 1 pick, and a former Hart Trophy winner as a new linemate, as the 'Hawks are apparently accelerating their rebuild.

The #blackhawks were not among the 16 teams listed on Taylor Hall's no-trade list so Boston was able to complete this deal without his consent.

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) June 26, 2023

Hall did have a 16-team no-trade list, and had wanted to remain in Boston, but according to Insider Chris Johnson, Chicago was not on that list. 

The 31-year-old had 16 goals and 31 points in 61 games for the Bruins this past season. Not quite the player he once was, but still a solid two-way forward with a world of experience to help mentor Bedard.

Photo: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports