The Chicago Blackhawks scratched Taylor Hall over the weekend. He claims that he was blindsided by that decision made by coach Luke Richardson.

There is trouble in Chicago. According to Taylor Hall on Monday, he was shocked to hear that he'd be a healthy scratch in Saturday night's game against the Vancouver Canucks. 

Hall hasn't been this great scoring threat in 2024-25 but nobody on the Blackhawks has for long stretches. Hall has two goals and four assists for six points in 17 games played as he works his way back from the injury that kept him out for most of last season. 

This isn't just a random player that's new to the league. Hall has been a veteran in the NHL for a long time now. After becoming the first overall pick by the Edmonton Oilers in 2010, he has gone on to have a really good career. 

In 849 games played, Hall has 268 goals and 435 assists for 703 points. That is nothing to ignore. Hall also won the Hart Trophy as the league MVP back when he was with the New Jersey Devils in 2017-18. 

It was shocking on the surface that Hall was scratched but you figured that he would have seen it coming based on conversations that he's had with the coaching staff. According to Hall, that wasn't the case and he was caught off guard. 

Hall did mention that he is on the same page as Luke Richardson now but it should have never been like this. He should have the right to receive constant communication leading up to a decision of this magnitude. It isn't like he is some rookie that is still developing. 

If the Hawks wanted to make this move, Hall should have been talking about his game with the powers that be long before the healthy scratch. To sit out with no warning had to be tough on him. 

To Richardson's credit, he owned up to the mistake of bad communication with Hall about this decision. It is on them now to go forward and be better. 

Hall is expected to draw back into the lineup on Tuesday against the Anaheim Ducks at United Center. We'll see if he can be one of those guys that re-enters the lineup and makes an impact.

Visit The Hockey News Chicago Blackhawks team site to stay updated on the latest news, game-day coverage, player features, and more.