Hall, Foligno traded to Blackhawks by Bruins

Taylor Hall was traded to Chicago Blackhawks by the Boston Bruins on Monday.

The Blackhawks also received forward Nick Foligno for defensemen Ian Mitchell and Alec Regula.

"I think the ability to acquire two veteran players in the NHL is really important for our team building concept and the development of our young players," Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson said Tuesday. "So, amazing reports on both and so I think it's just checked some important boxes that we wanted to cover in this offseason. ... a player to play in the top six in Taylor and then a great veteran and just a great pro and still a very productive player in Nick Foligno."

Hall, a 31-year-old forward, has two seasons remaining on a four-year, $24 million contract ($6 million average annual value) he signed with the Bruins on July 23, 2021. He had 36 points (16 goals, 20 assists) in 61 regular-season games this season and eight points (five goals, three assists) in seven Stanley Cup Playoff games.

"It's tough to see. He's a really close friend," Boston forward David Pastrnak said. "Same with Foligno. Foligno was my neighbor. It's tough to see. Obviously, it's fresh. We work in this business and we are all aware of this business, so we know that happens. It's the bad part about hockey, but they are going to stay my friends forever. And I wish them nothing but the best."

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Foligno agreed to a one-year, $4 million contract with the Blackhawks on Tuesday. He could have become an unrestricted free agent July 1. The 35-year-old had 26 points (10 goals, 16 assists) in 60 regular-season games and three points (one goal, two assists) in six playoff games.

"We are thrilled to be adding players of Nick's and Taylor's caliber to our organization," Davidson said. "The two bring a wealth of experience and leadership that will strengthen not only our forward group, but aid in the development of our entire roster."

The Blackhawks own the No. 1 pick in the 2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft, projected to be Regina forward Connor Bedard. The first round is Wednesday (7 p.m. ET; ESPN, SN, TVAS), and rounds 2-7 are Thursday (11 a.m. ET; NHLN, SN, TVAS). They were 26-49-7, tied with Columbus Blue Jackets for 30th in the NHL, one point ahead of the Anaheim Ducks, who finished last.

The Bruins on Monday also traded forward Shane Bowers to the New Jersey Devils for defenseman Reilly Walsh. Boston lost the Eastern Conference First Round to the Florida Panthers in seven games this season after setting NHL records with 65 wins and 135 points.

The No. 1 pick by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2010 NHL Draft, Hall has 693 points (264 goals, 429 assists) in 822 regular-season games for the Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, Arizona Coyotes, Devils and Oilers, and 29 points (14 goals, 15 assists) in 39 playoff games. He won the Hart Trophy in 2018 voted as NHL most valuable player after his 93 points (39 goals, 54 assists) helped the Devils make the playoffs for the first time since 2012.

Selected by the Ottawa Senators in the first round (No. 28) of the 2006 NHL Draft, Foligno has 525 points (215 goals, 310 assists) in 1,081 regular-season games for the Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, Columbus Blue Jackets and Senators, and 27 points (10 goals, 17 assists) in 68 playoff games.

"It's a bittersweet thing," Bruins goalie Linus Ullmark said after Video: Taylor Hall traded to the Blackhawks as the top goalie in the NHL on Monday. "It's two great guys, two great players, teammates that I got to know, I got to love, as much as everybody else. So it's a very bittersweet moment in that perspective, obviously. I wish them all the best in Chicago. You know, they're getting two terrific players, two terrific human beings as well, and I wish them all the best."

Mitchell, 24, has 16 points (four goals, 12 assists) in 82 NHL games, including eight points (one goal, seven assists) in 35 games this season. He played for Bruins coach Jim Montgomery at the University of Denver as a freshman in 2017-18. Regula, 22, has one goal in 22 NHL games. Each is a pending restricted free agent.

Bowers and Walsh each has played one NHL game. The Devils signed Bowers to a one-year, two-way contract on Thursday. Financial terms were not disclosed.

"Regrettably we lose two really good players that helped us a lot," said Bruins coach Jim Montgomery, Video: Taylor Hall traded to the Blackhawks as NHL coach of the year. "That's the sad part. The good part is that we're moving onto next season. It's time to start focusing on next season and what the Boston Bruins are going to look like next year.

"I do know Ian Mitchell; he's a high-character person. High hockey sense, high compete and real good skater that's going to fit in well with the Bruins culture. Reminds us a little bit of Brandon Carlo."

NHL.com staff writer Tracey Myers contributed to this report