Taylor Hall said he woke up Thursday morning with a smile on his face. For good reason.
Hall participated in the Chicago Blackhawks’ first practice of camp after missing most of last season with right knee surgery.
The Hawks have been active in the free-agent market this offseason, but Hall’s return could be the most significant addition for the organization.
“I watched a lot of hockey and a lot of practices during my long recovery, so to reconnect with hockey and my teammates, there’s nothing more special for me,” Hall said.
“I feel like I appreciate what I do for a living more now after being away for so long.”
The Blackhawks acquired Hall and Nick Foligno from the Boston Bruins in 2023 to back up Connor Bedard, in his first NHL campaign, but Hall has played just 10 games because of injuries to his left shoulder and right knee.
This time, however, he says he is in great shape.
“I don’t have any constraints in the gym or on the ice,” he said. “It’s just about getting my brain back up to game speed and playing hockey again.”
If Hall can return to his former form, he could provide a major boost to the Blackhawks as they look to become more competitive.
He played alongside Bedard and Tyler Bertuzzi in the first intrasquad game.
The first overall pick in the 2010 draft scored 697 points, including 266 goals, in 832 games in the Bettman circuit.
He set career highs with 39 goals and 54 assists in 2017-18 with the New Jersey Devils. He also won the Hart Trophy.
“I’m excited. That’s my role,” Hall said of his ability to produce offensively. “That’s what I’ve done for a long time in this league and I know what I can bring to a team.”
Blackhawks head coach Luke Richardson said Hall is “so excited to be playing right now.”
“He’s very focused and that’s exactly how we want to be as a team,” Richardson said. “He sets the pace on the ice. That’s the way he likes to play. I remember him in New Jersey as the league MVP, and that’s the way he played.”