Along with so many solid veteran additions to the lineup, one key player coming back to action is Taylor Hall. He missed all but 10 games at the start of the 2023-24 season and the Chicago Blackhawks were much worse off for it finishing 31st in the league. Hall was playing with Connor Bedard at the start of the season and was brought in to be that presence on the 18-year-old's line in his rookie season. Bedard said, "He's (Hall) obviously a great player and someone we really missed last year, not only on the ice, but in the room as well." Connor Bedard - Sept. 20 Blackhawks Media Availability Hall has been around the league for a while now and has had his run-ins with multiple first overall picks, also being one himself. The knowledge of his experience and how he handled it well can be given to Bedard, for one. But Hall's leadership extends further than that to any of the young players just breaking into the league. He's 32 years old, played 14 seasons in the NHL, and is a former Hart Trophy winner. "He's a guy that everyone really likes, really respects. So having another guy like that, another leader in the room is going to be huge and he's going to make a huge impact for us on the ice," Bedard added. By missing 72 games, Hall wasn't always with the team and couldn't be the leader the team needed in the room and on the ice, which was a big loss. It's not easy to produce in the NHL and Bedard knows that, even after scoring 22 goals and 61 points in 68 games. While Hall has never led the league in goals or points, he has four point-per-game seasons as well as a career high of 39 goals and 93 points. During Hall's two-plus seasons in Boston before being traded to the Blackhawks, he produced 44 goals and 111 points in 158 games while recording over 60 points in one of the seasons. When healthy, Hall can still utilize his speed very well and help offensively. I can't speak for Bedard, but there is a good chance he would've liked Hall on his wing as a rookie for the entire season. It very well could've pushed Bedard over a point-per-game and given him more consistency. The hope is that Hall remains healthy and Chicago can have a much better season all-around because of it. RECENT BLACKHAWKS NEWS Connor Bedard Jokingly Refuses To Tell Media His Personal Goals [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks/latest-news/connor-bedard-jokingly-refuses-to-tell-media-his-personal-goals] Blackhawks Want Lukas Reichel To Earn Increased Role [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks/latest-news/blackhawks-want-lukas-reichel-to-earn-increased-role] Blackhawks Adding Veterans Doesn't Change Slaggert's Mentality This Season [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks/latest-news/blackhawks-adding-veterans-doesnt-change-slaggerts-mentality-this-season]
