Taylor Hall

Taylor Hall
Born	(1991-11-14) November 14, 1991 Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Occupation	Professional ice hockey player
Known for	Left winger for the Carolina Hurricanes in the NHL; first overall pick in 2010 NHL Entry Draft; Hart Memorial Trophy winner

Taylor Hall (born November 14, 1991) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who plays as a left winger for the Carolina Hurricanes in the National Hockey League (NHL). Selected first overall in the 2010 NHL entry draft by the Edmonton Oilers, Hall's NHL tenure also includes stints with the Oilers, New Jersey Devils, Arizona Coyotes, Buffalo Sabres, Boston Bruins, and Chicago Blackhawks.

Hall's junior career was notable for leading the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) team, the Windsor Spitfires, to consecutive Memorial Cup victories in 2009 and 2010. He was awarded the Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy as the tournament's most valuable player in both championship years. A five-time NHL All-Star, Hall captured the Hart Memorial Trophy as the league’s most valuable player during his second season with the Devils, becoming the first in that franchise to do so.

Early life

Hailing from Calgary, Hall is the sole child of Steve Hall, who played professionally in the Canadian Football League (CFL) and competed with Canada’s national bobsleigh team, and Kim Strba. Introduced to organized hockey at age five by his mother, he honed his skills on a backyard rink built and maintained by his father. In 2005, his family moved to Kingston, Ontario, where he attended Frontenac Secondary School before transferring to St. Anne's Catholic High School in Tecumseh, Ontario during his tenure with the Windsor Spitfires.

Minor

Hall’s minor hockey journey began in Calgary, Alberta. At 13, after relocating to Kingston, Ontario, he continued developing his game. He secured a Bantam AAA Calgary city championship title with the North East Canucks during the 2004–05 season. Between 2005 and 2007, Hall competed in Bantam and Minor Midget levels for the Greater Kingston Predators and earned selection to the ODMHA Midget AAA All-Star team. The Windsor Spitfires chose him second overall in the 2007 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Priority Selection.

Junior

Making his OHL debut in 2007–08, Hall tallied 45 goals and 39 assists for a total of 84 points, ranking third on his team. He was honored twice as OHL Player of the Week in March and received both OHL and CHL Rookie of the Year awards.

During the 2008–09 season, Hall represented the OHL in the ADT Canada-Russia Challenge and finished with an impressive 90 points (38 goals and 52 assists). The Windsor Spitfires captured both the OHL Championship and Memorial Cup titles; Hall led all playoff scorers with 16 goals and 20 assists, earning the Wayne Gretzky 99 Award as Playoff MVP. He scored the overtime goal that clinched the OHL Finals series. At the Memorial Cup tournament, Hall contributed eight points over six games and was named MVP with the Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy.

Although he was unlikely to compete in Russia, Hall was selected 89th overall in the 2009 KHL Junior Draft by Ak Bars Kazan. Early in his junior career, he emerged as a leading prospect for the 2010 NHL Entry Draft and received commendations from Don Cherry on Hockey Night in Canada. Additionally, Sports Illustrated featured him as an up-and-coming athlete to watch.

In 2009–10, Hall tied Tyler Seguin for top scorer honors in the OHL with 106 points (40 goals and 66 assists), earning a share of the Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy. He propelled Windsor to win the J. Ross Robertson Cup by leading playoff scoring with 35 points across 19 games. In May 2010, Hall helped secure Windsor’s second straight Memorial Cup championship and became the first player to win consecutive Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophies as tournament MVP. He also claimed the Ed Chynoweth Trophy as top scorer and was named to the all-star team.

Ranked midseason by NHL Central Scouting Bureau as the premier North American prospect for 2009–10, Hall ultimately placed behind Seguin in final rankings. He has acknowledged Toronto Maple Leafs forward John Tavares as an influential role model both on and off ice.

Edmonton Oilers (2010–2016)

Following his selection as the first overall pick by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2010 NHL entry draft, Hall promptly inked his initial professional deal. The contract featured the maximum entry-level salary of $900,000, supplemented by potential performance bonuses up to $2.85 million, marking it as the second most lucrative rookie agreement in Oilers franchise history.

Hall was granted permission to don jersey number 4, a number previously exclusive to former Oilers player and then-president of hockey operations Kevin Lowe, although it was not officially retired.

He made his NHL debut on October 7, 2010, facing the Calgary Flames, and registered his first point—an assist—in his second game. Hall netted his inaugural NHL goal on October 28 against Steve Mason of the Columbus Blue Jackets. He earned a spot in the 2011 National Hockey League All-Star Game as one of twelve rookies participating in the SuperSkills Competition, where he placed second in the fastest skater event.

On February 19, 2011, Hall achieved his first NHL hat trick by scoring three consecutive power-play goals, sparking a comeback victory over the Atlanta Thrashers. A few weeks later, on March 3, he recorded his first Gordie Howe hat trick but sustained a high ankle sprain that prematurely ended his rookie season. He completed the year with 22 goals and 20 assists across 65 games.

During warmups on January 17, 2012, Hall suffered a deep facial laceration from a teammate’s skate that required 30 stitches; however, he returned to play shortly thereafter. Later that season, he underwent significant shoulder surgery which sidelined him for five to six months and cut short his sophomore campaign. Despite missing 21 games, he remained tied for fifth place in power-play goals.

On August 21, 2012, Hall secured a seven-year contract extension worth $42 million, with an average annual value of $6 million.

Hall reached a milestone of 100 career points on January 26, 2013. In February of that year, he was handed a two-game suspension for kneeing an opponent. On March 30, he set a franchise record by scoring a hat trick within just 7 minutes and 53 seconds against the Vancouver Canucks. He concluded the lockout-shortened 2012–13 NHL season ranked ninth in league scoring and posted a career-high with 34 assists.

On October 17, 2013, Hall surpassed Wayne Gretzky’s Oilers record by scoring two goals within eight seconds. Later that year, on December 5, he notched his second career hat trick during a commanding victory over the Chicago Blackhawks.

In 2016, Hall earned his first selection to the NHL All-Star Game as part of the Pacific Division squad.

New Jersey Devils (2016–2019)

On June 29, 2016, Hall was traded to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for Adam Larsson. He adopted jersey number 9 since his customary number 4 had been retired by the Devils. Hall scored his debut goal for New Jersey on October 18, 2016, against the Anaheim Ducks, adding another goal later in the same period to secure a 2–1 win. On November 16, Hall underwent surgery for a torn meniscus in his left knee; although initially expected to be sidelined for three to four weeks, he returned to practice by November 28. He was New Jersey’s lone representative at the 2017 NHL All-Star Game.

Hall received another All-Star nod for the 2018 NHL All-Star Game, but was unable to participate due to a hand injury. On February 15, 2018, he established a Devils franchise record with a 16-game point streak during a victory over the Carolina Hurricanes. This streak extended to 26 games before ending on March 8, 2018—the longest NHL point streak since Patrick Kane achieved one during the 2015–16 season. Hall concluded that campaign as New Jersey’s leading scorer with a personal best of 93 points (39 goals and 54 assists), guiding them back into the playoffs for the first time since 2012. It also marked Hall’s playoff debut. He led the team with six points during their first-round elimination by the Tampa Bay Lightning. On April 26 and April 27 respectively, Hall was nominated for both the Ted Lindsay Award and Hart Memorial Trophy, ultimately winning the Hart Trophy—the first such honor in Devils history.

Prior to the start of the 2018–19 NHL season, Hall was named an alternate captain but sustained an injury during practice on December 13, causing him to miss two games. Upon returning, he scored his milestone 200th NHL goal on December 20 but re-injured himself on December 23 and was placed on injured reserve starting January 1, 2019. At that point, he had accumulated 37 points in just 33 games. Despite this setback, Hall earned selection for his fourth straight 2019 National Hockey League All-Star Game, though he was replaced due to delayed recovery. In February, he underwent arthroscopic surgery on his knee and commenced rehabilitation.

Hall missed the remainder of the season but returned for preseason action in September 2019, contributing both a goal and an assist during a 4–2 victory over the New York Rangers.

Arizona Coyotes (2019–2020)

During the final season of his contract, with the Devils failing to secure a playoff spot, rumors circulated about Hall potentially being traded. On December 13, 2019, Hall was held out of the lineup as a precautionary measure and was again scratched the following evening in a game against the Coyotes.

Subsequently, on December 16, 2019, the Devils completed a trade sending Hall and Blake Speers to the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for Nick Merkley, Kevin Bahl, Nate Schnarr, along with conditional first-round and third-round picks in the 2020 and 2021 NHL Entry Drafts respectively.

On October 7, 2020, Coyotes General Manager Bill Armstrong declared that Hall would not be re-signed, marking his initial entry into unrestricted free agency.

Buffalo Sabres (2020–2021)

Hall inked a one-year deal worth $8 million with the Buffalo Sabres on October 11, 2020. Throughout the pandemic-shortened 2020–21 campaign, Hall encountered offensive challenges, finishing with only 2 goals and accumulating 19 points over 37 games.

Boston Bruins (2021–2023)

With Buffalo eliminated from playoff contention, Hall was traded alongside Curtis Lazar to the Boston Bruins on April 11, 2021. Buffalo agreed to retain half of Hall’s salary in the transaction. In return, Boston sent Anders Bjork and a second-round pick in the 2021 draft to Buffalo. Hall netted his inaugural goal for Boston on April 15, 2021. Due to number 4 being retired in honor of Bobby Orr, Hall wore number 71 and enhanced Boston’s offensive depth alongside David Krejčí, registering 8 goals and 6 assists across his final 16 contests. He notably scored a crucial tying goal during Game 2 of the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Capitals.

On July 23, 2021, Hall committed to a four-year contract extension worth $24 million with the Bruins. In his first full season under this deal, he achieved career-best numbers since his MVP year by tallying 20 goals and 41 assists for a total of 61 points while appearing in 81 games. Hall played an integral role on a line featuring Erik Haula and David Pastrňák. The Bruins qualified for the postseason as a wild card but were eliminated in seven games by the Carolina Hurricanes, with Hall contributing four points throughout the series.

During the 2022–23 season, Hall embraced a third-line assignment without objection. After sustaining a lower-body injury on February 25, 2023, he was placed on long-term injured reserve but made his return following a twenty-game absence. He concluded the regular season with totals of 16 goals and 20 assists over 61 games during a record-setting campaign for Boston. Despite an early playoff elimination at the hands of the Florida Panthers in seven games, Hall emerged as one of Boston’s leading performers by collecting eight points in that series.

Chicago Blackhawks (2023–2025)

On June 26, 2023, salary cap considerations prompted Hall’s trade from Boston to the Chicago Blackhawks alongside Nick Foligno in exchange for Ian Mitchell and Alec Regula. On November 9, Hall suffered a right knee injury after colliding with Mikey Eyssimont of the Tampa Bay Lightning. He returned to action on November 18 for back-to-back games against Nashville Predators and Buffalo Sabres but missed the November 22 matchup versus Columbus Blue Jackets. The following day it was announced that Hall would be sidelined for the remainder of the season due to knee surgery.

As he entered the 2024–25 season, Hall took on a leadership position within Chicago’s youthful roster, providing guidance to emerging star Connor Bedard on their top line. Although he was a healthy scratch on November 17, 2024, Hall rebounded impressively by recording his fifth NHL career hat trick on November 27 during a commanding 6–2 win over the Dallas Stars.

Carolina Hurricanes (2025–present)

On January 24, 2025, Hall was involved in a three-team trade that sent him to the Carolina Hurricanes, with the Colorado Avalanche also part of the transaction. Hall netted his inaugural goal for Carolina on February 27, 2025, contributing to a 5-2 triumph over the Buffalo Sabres. Establishing himself as a seasoned leader, he consistently provided offensive contributions. From March 7 through April 3, Hall earned points in ten out of twelve contests, highlighted by his sixth career hat trick and second within the season during a 5–2 win against the Anaheim Ducks on March 23. Over this period, he amassed seven goals alongside six assists. Hall played a key role in guiding the Hurricanes into the postseason, registering two assists in Game 1 of the opening playoff round facing his former squad, the New Jersey Devils. On April 30, during the first-round series, he secured a three-year contract extension worth $9.5 million with Carolina.

International play

Hall has represented Canada in numerous international competitions, achieving multiple medals. At the 2008 IIHF World U18 Championships, he ranked fifth in scoring with nine points across seven matches, aiding Canada in capturing gold. Additionally, he earned gold as an alternate captain at the 2008 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament.

During the 2010 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, Hall was the sole draft-eligible player on Canada's roster. He recorded a hat trick against Slovakia and finished tied for third in overall scoring with six goals and six assists over six games. Hall opted not to participate in the 2011 World Junior evaluation camp to concentrate on securing a spot with the Edmonton Oilers' NHL team; Hockey Canada rules would have rendered him ineligible regardless.

At the senior international level, Hall contributed to Canada's gold medal victory at the 2015 IIHF World Championship, where Canada remained undefeated for the first time since 2007; he was selected for the tournament all-star team. He also competed in the 2016 World Championship as Canada successfully defended its title.

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2006–07	Kingston Predators AAA	ETA U16		32	47	45	92	14		—	—	—	—	—
2007–08	Windsor Spitfires	OHL		63	45	39	84	22		5	2	3	5	2
2008–09	Windsor Spitfires	OHL		63	38	52	90	60		20	16	20	36	12
2009–10	Windsor Spitfires	OHL		57	40	66	106	56		19	17	18	35	32
2010–11	Edmonton Oilers	NHL		65	22	20	42	27		—	—	—	—	—
2011–12	Edmonton Oilers	NHL		61	27	26	53	36		—	—	—	—	—
2012–13	Oklahoma City Barons	AHL		28	14	20	34	33		—	—	—	—	—
2012–13	Edmonton Oilers	NHL		45	16	34	50	33		—	—	—	—	—
2013–14	Edmonton Oilers	NHL		75	27	53	80	44		—	—	—	—	—
2014–15	Edmonton Oilers	NHL		53	14	24	38	40		—	—	—	—	—
2015–16	Edmonton Oilers	NHL		82	26	39	65	54		—	—	—	—	—
2016–17	New Jersey Devils	NHL		72	20	33	53	32		—	—	—	—	—
2017–18	New Jersey Devils	NHL		76	39	54	93	34		5	2	4	6	6
2018–19	New Jersey Devils	NHL		33	11	26	37	16		— | — | — | —
2019–20 | New Jersey Devils | NHL |30 |6 |19 |25 |20 |— |— |— |— |—
Arizona Coyotes |NHL |35 |10 |17 |27 |14 |9 |2 |4 |6 |10
2020–21 |Buffalo Sabres |NHL |37 |2 |17 |19 |24 |— |— |— |— |—
Boston Bruins |NHL |16 |8 |6 |14 |2 |11 |3 |2 |5 |9
2021–22 |Boston Bruins |NHL |81 |20 |41 |61 |42 |7 |2 |2 |4 |8
2022–23 | Boston Bruins | NHL |61 |16 |20 |36 |24 |7  |5  |3  |8  |2
2023–24  |Chicago Blackhawks  |NHL  |10  |2  |2  |4  |4  |—  |—  |—  |—  |—
2024–25  |Chicago Blackhawks  |NHL  |46  |9  |15  |24  |16  |—  |—  |—  |—|}
NHL totals				909	284	455	739	482		54	16	19	35	37

International

Year	Team	Tournament	Outcome		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2008	Canada Ontario	U17	Template:Gold1		5	4	4	8	4
2008	Canada	U18	Template:Gold1		4	2	6	8	2
2008	Canada	IH18	Template:Gold1		4	3	0	3	0
2010	Canada	WJC	Template:Silver2		6	6	6	12	0
2013	Canada	WC	5th place		8	2	1	3	0
2015	Canada	WC	Template:Gold1		10	7	5	12	6
2016	Canada	WC	Template:Gold1		10	6	3	9	2
Junior career totals					23	16	21	37	10
Senior career totals					28	15	9	24	8

Awards and honours

Award	Year