Hall signs four-year, $24 million contract to stay with Bruins
Forward scored 33 points this season, could have become unrestricted free agent July 28
The 29-year-old forward could have become an unrestricted free agent on July 28. He scored 33 points (10 goals, 23 assists) in 53 regular-season games for the Buffalo Sabres and Bruins last season, including 14 points (eight goals, six assists) in 16 games after he was traded to Boston on April 12.
Hall scored five points (three goals, two assists) in 11 Stanley Cup Playoff games. The Bruins were eliminated by the New York Islanders in six games in the second round.
"It's a great city, obviously a great group of guys. Tremendous organization that I really enjoyed playing for," Hall said. "It was really enjoyable for me this year and really happy that I get to play another four years with the Bruins. Obviously, the teammates that I got to know in my short time in Boston [were] a huge reason why I wanted to direct my focus to playing for Boston as long as I can, and really happy that we're here talking about it today."
Hall played on the second line with center David Krejci and forward Craig Smith, which gave Boston depth behind its top line of Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak down the stretch in the regular season and into the playoffs. Krejci can become an unrestricted free agent July 28.
"I think I knew right away, playing five or six games in Boston, that I wanted to be a part of the group, and it was up to me to try and play well and try and show well enough to have them want me to be a part of it," Hall said.
"I felt really comfortable right off the bat last year and, I spoke about it, that's a credit to the leadership group. … They did a great job showing the way and I really enjoyed being a part of that. And it's not only that, the younger guys, they have personality, they have hunger, they want to win, they want to have fun, and it was a good environment for me to come into and I felt that I was able to be myself right off the bat, and I think that showed in my on-ice play. I've been on four teams in the last two seasons, so I've been in a few dressing rooms. You can tell right away when you walk in what the vibe is, and I really enjoyed the vibe in Boston."
Hall waived the no-move clause in his one-year, $8 million contract he signed with the Sabres on Oct. 12, 2020, to join the Bruins prior to the 2021 NHL Trade Deadline.
"The biggest reason I chose Boston, I thought there was the best chance to re-sign after the season," Hall said.
The No. 1 pick by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2010 NHL Draft, Hall has scored 596 points (228 goals, 368 assists) in 680 regular-season games with the Oilers, New Jersey Devils, Arizona Coyotes, Sabres and Bruins. He has scored 17 points (seven goals, 10 assists) in 25 playoff games.
"Very excited, as I referenced Taylor wanting to be a Bruin, then working with (agent) Darren Ferris to find a common ground was really important for us," Boston general manager Don Sweeney said. "And I think you can see from Taylor's comments he's excited to be part of our group. I think he felt maybe the most comfortable he's felt in a locker room in some time, and I think it showed up in his game."
Hall won the Hart Trophy voted as NHL most valuable player in 2017-18, when he scored an NHL career-high 93 points (39 goals, 54 assists) in 76 games with the Devils.
"He arrived in Boston with not as much confidence as he had had in previous [stops] despite being such an accomplished player," Sweeney said. "And I think now he's really wanted to put his feet down, settle some roots with he and his fiancee to really take it as far as he possibly can. He's motivated. He knows the team and what we're trying to accomplish and he wanted to be part of that. I think that's important too, to send a message to all of our young players as well as our incumbent players that they represent the core of the Boston Bruins, and Taylor Hall and the special qualities he has wanting to be a part of that core was important, and so we're excited to have him back."
