Connor Bedard has new linemates, Tyler Johnson and Nick Foligno for Tuesday's game against Boston. Story with videos.
The Chicago Blackhawks placed forward Taylor Hall on injured reserve with a shoulder injury, retroactive to Oct. 21, before Tuesday's game with Boston.
The 31-year-old left winger, acquired to support rookie Connor Bedard, originally was expected to be sidelined "week-to-week" coach Luke Richardson announced after the team's practice on Monday. On Tuesday, Richardson updated that, saying "it would be at least a week," per the NHL's terms on IR. See video below.
"He said he's a quick healer," Richardson said. "We're not sure what that means really yet, but we're hoping it is. Anything quicker is better than longer for us."
"I thought he had a good start with us. He's hasn't scored a goal, but he's contributed a lot... and playing hard and physical. I never thought he played that physical because I had never seen him play that much live. He's a good 200-foot player, so the shorter the better for us."
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 set up Connor Bedard's first goal at home as a Blackhawk.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.
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.
New Linemates for Bedard
With Hall out, veteran Tyler Johnson was set to play 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.
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.
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