Boston Bruins: Why This is a Big Postseason for Hall

It’s safe to say that the Boston Bruins were one of the trade deadline winners in early April. Yes, they added defensemen, Mike Reilly, from the Ottawa Senators in the first deal, but their second deal with the Buffalo Sabres is the one that sticks out.

General manager Don Sweeney acquired Taylor Hall and Curtis Lazar from the Sabres for Anders Bjork. At the time, there were nerves in Bruins Nation as to what player the Black and Gold were getting. Where they getting the Hart Trophy version of Hall or where they getting the Buffalo version that struggled through 37 games?

It has been clear in the 16 games that Hall was worn the Spoked-B that the Bruins are getting the good version of their new second-line left wing. Hall has eight goals, six assists with a plus/minus of plus-15.

In 37 games in Western New York for Buffalo, which had a very tough 2021 season, Hall had two goals and 17 assists with a minus-21.

Wednesday, Bruins team President Cam Neely was asked about Hall’s future in Boston as the 29-year-old is a free agent following the season. Neely said they would see how things go in the playoffs, but there was interest in getting something done.

There is no doubt that this will be a big postseason for Hall, who has only played in two playoff series since being draft No. 1 overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2010 Entry Draft. In the 2017-18 playoffs, he had two goals and four assists in five games for the New Jersey Devils. Last season in nine games in the playoff bubble in Edmonton, he had two goals and four assists for the Arizona Coyotes.

This playoff run for Hall should be different. He is on a line with David Krejci and Craig Smith with the B’s and since his arrival, there has been a significant improvement in Krejci’s play. If the Bruins’ second-line can produce as they did in the regular season in the 16 games since the trade, behind the top-line of Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron, and David Pastrnak, then Boston will be a tough out.

The Bruins front office will see what the playoffs hold for Hall, but following the season when it’s time to make decisions on next season, signing Hall, no matter what happens during the postseason run, should be done. If the money works, of course.