Blackhawks GM Gives Reasoning For Taylor Hall Trade
The Blackhawks retained 50% of Rantanen’s salary and received a third-round pick in return for Hall, who is in the final year of his contract.
Davidson stated that trading Hall now, rather than closer to the March 7 trade deadline, was a deliberate move to avoid risks like injury or further declines in value.
“In waiting, you run the risk of things like injury… and it just wasn’t heading towards a way that was going to maximize or enhance value,” he said.
Just a handful of teams that Taylor Hall has played for since being drafted 1st overall by the Oilers in 2010 pic.twitter.com/KacPfYSwjy
— Missin Curfew (@MissinCurfew) January 27, 2025
Davidson acknowledged the return of a third-round pick as a fair outcome, given Hall’s role and production this season, which included nine goals and 15 assists in 46 games.
Ironically, the pick is the same one the Blackhawks previously sent to Carolina in an earlier trade. By moving Hall early, Davidson also retained flexibility for future transactions, preserving one of the team’s two salary retention slots for potential deals ahead of the deadline.
“It was basically what we thought or hoped we would get, so just move forward with it instead of risking all the things that go along with holding a player,” he added.
⚠️ WE'VE GOT A BLOCKBUSTER ⚠️
— NHL (@NHL) January 25, 2025
Mikko Rantanen and Taylor Hall are heading to the @Canes in exchange for Martin Necas and more! pic.twitter.com/hopVKxtvH1
The trade follows Davidson’s long-term vision for the Blackhawks, focused on rebuilding through the draft and developing young talent like Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar.
He remains open to additional trades involving pending UFAs such as Pat Maroon and Ryan Donato but spoke on patience in executing the plan.
“This is the process that we’re running,” Davidson said. “We needed to build through the draft and find our new core. That takes time.”
Photo Credit: Daniel Bartel-Imagn Images
