CHICAGO – Taylor Hall and Chicago Blackhawks coach Luke Richardson are on the same page after the 33-year-old forward was caught off guard by being left out for the 4-1 loss to the Chicago Canucks Vancouver Saturday.
“We communicated,” Hall said after Monday’s practice. “There was no argument. He thought it was best for me to do a reset, so that’s what I’m going to do. I am not above the coach’s decisions and I must be held responsible, like all the other players. I want to play better and be better for our team. »
The 2018 Hart Trophy winner, as team MVP, has six points (two goals, four assists) in 17 games this season. He added that the decision to leave him out was “unexpected, in the sense that I didn’t know I was close to finding myself in this situation.”
“It would be one thing if people had had conversations with me about my play before the game or if I had been shown videos a lot,” Hall said. I was a little surprised. »
Richardson said the lack of communication with Hall about the decision “might be part of my problem as well.” »
“Sometimes you’re a little more patient with the veterans, and I know he was frustrated,” Richardson said. I don’t want him to be frustrated for too long, so maybe this was a good time to take a step back. As for my communication with him, I have to get to know the player a little more to determine how he wants us to deal with such a situation. We talked a lot during and after, but maybe it needs to happen a little more beforehand. That’s something I learned about a player. »
The first overall pick by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2010 draft, Hall has 703 points (268 goals, 435 assists) in 849 career games with the Oilers, the New Jersey Devils, the Arizona Coyotes, the Sabers of Buffalo, Boston Bruins and Blackhawks. He notably established a personal record of 93 points (39 goals, 54 assists) in 76 games with the Devils to win the Hart. The Blackhawks acquired Hall and Nick Foligno in a trade with Boston on June 26, 2023. Hall recorded four points (two goals, two assists) in 10 games during the 2023-24 season before requiring surgery to treat a torn ligament in his right knee on November 27.
Hall played left wing on the second line with center Ryan Donato and right wing Ilya Mikheyev in practice. He is expected to be in the lineup when the Blackhawks (6-11-1) face the Anaheim Ducks at the United Center on Tuesday (8:30 p.m. ET; Victory+ CHSN, KCOP-13).
“There are things that Luke and his staff want me to do better when I’m not playing well,” Hall said. That’s all. We talked today and I can’t wait to play tomorrow. »
Richardson, who is in his third season as coach of the Blackhawks, is confident this reset will do Hall good.
“He had a good practice today, and part of my approach is to have a few days like that to hit the reset button,” he concluded.
