Veteran forward and Connor Bedard's linemate aggravated injury in 5-3 loss to Vegas on Saturday. The former Hart Trophy winner could be sidelined "week-to-week" per coach Luke Richardson. Videos Added to Story
Chicago Blackhawks forward Taylor Hall will miss some time with a shoulder injury after all. He was placed on injured reserve, retroactive to Oct. 21, before Tuesday's game with Boston.
The 31-year-old left winger, acquired to support rookie Connor Bedard, is sidelined "week-to-week" coach Luke Richardson announced after the team's practice on Monday.
Hall came back for three games after taking a big hit in Boston.Hall was slammed by Bruins defenseman Brandon Carlo early in the second period of the Blackhawks second game of the season, at Boston on Oct. 11, absorbing what Richardson called a blindside hit. Hall sat out Chicago's next contest, at Montréal three nights later, but returned for games at Toronto and Colorado as the Blackhawks closed out their season-opening five game trip.
Hall skated in the Blackhawks' 5-3 loss in their home opener on Saturday and set up Bedard's first goal at the United Center just 90 seconds in. But Hall apparently aggravated the injury in 12:39 of ice time.
"He was trying to play through it," Richardson said. "He was still trying to do that and you can always have the risk of hurting it worse or something else protecting it.
"We're just going to take the next few games and we'll go week-by-week to see how he's doing." See video below.
Hall was acquired along with 35-year-old forward Nick Foligno from the Bruins on June 26, two days before the Blackhawks selected Bedard No.1 overall in the 2023 NHL draft. Hall, was a top draft pick himself in 2010 by Edmonton.
He clicked with 2017 No. 1 draft pick Nico Hischier in 2017-18 with the New Jersey Devils en route to winning the Hart Trophy. The hope was Hall could generate the same kind of chemistry with Bedard and he started the 2023-24 season on the left side of a line with the 18-year-old center.
Hall (left) and Bedard skate in preseason game."He (Hall) plays a physical game a lot more than people would give him credit for, really having a good two-way game going," Richardson said.' "So that's kind of a good role model for the younger guys."
In practice Monday, veteran Tyler Johnson was on the left side of a line with Bedard. Foligno was on the right wing.
"Nick's been playing great and Tyler's a smart player," Richardson said. "We decided we're just going to try that.
"You know that last few games, we just haven't gotten the job done." See video below.
Following a solid 4-1 win over the Maple Leafs in Toronto a week ago, the Blackhawks were overwhelmed in a 4-0 loss at Colorado on last Thursday, then broke down in the third period against the Golden Knights on Saturday.
Chicago hosts undefeated Boston (5-0) on Tuesday.