Taylor Hall for 2nd Rd Pick to the Bruins

cshea

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Here's some of his media call. His answer to the "how close to you come to sign in Boston?" question makes it seem like the Bruins pulled out. "Yeah, I was really close, I was ready to come to Boston. It didn't work out, then I had to choose between other teams."

Maybe Hall's agent advised him to pass due to the contract on the table, but still just kind of weird. All the reporting in Free Agency made it seem like the Bruins were in the ballpark with Buffalo in terms of offer. Not $8 million but they reportedly stretched the most of the other suitors. I would assume Hall is shell shocked by the Buffalo experience and will no longer base decisions strictly on money.

View: https://twitter.com/NHLBruins/status/1381630682615713808?s=20
 

RedOctober3829

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Here's some of his media call. His answer to the "how close to you come to sign in Boston?" question makes it seem like the Bruins pulled out. "Yeah, I was really close, I was ready to come to Boston. It didn't work out, then I had to choose between other teams."

Maybe Hall's agent advised him to pass due to the contract on the table, but still just kind of weird. All the reporting in Free Agency made it seem like the Bruins were in the ballpark with Buffalo in terms of offer. Not $8 million but they reportedly stretched the most of the other suitors. I would assume Hall is shell shocked by the Buffalo experience and will no longer base decisions strictly on money.

View: https://twitter.com/NHLBruins/status/1381630682615713808?s=20
He'll have more than a few hours today on his drive to Boston to think about how he wants to approach this kind of opportunity.
 

FL4WL3SS

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I think in a vacuum it’s fine and clearly not a whole lot to give up so it’s worth a flyer I guess.

From a big picture perspective it’s idiotic that they’re burning assets to improve this team when they‘re realistically not even getting out of the first round.
I just saw this trade and this was my guy reaction without even clicking through.

Meeeehhhhhhh
 

FL4WL3SS

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I think it's a legit point you guys have...I too hope you're wrong.

It all hinges on health tho
Isn't that pretty much telling the story that this was a waste? They haven't had good health all year and they have no depth to absorb injuries. I don't see how anything changes the rest of the way.

This was a complete waste of assets.
 

lexrageorge

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Isn't that pretty much telling the story that this was a waste? They haven't had good health all year and they have no depth to absorb injuries. I don't see how anything changes the rest of the way.

This was a complete waste of assets.
Why is it a waste?

Bottom seeds can, and do, win the Cup. Teams can and do get healthy for the playoffs. Hall is likely much better than Bjork the rest of the way. And Reilly >>>>> Tinordi. Some of the injuries are short term, and hopefully CoVid will be a non-issue for the playoffs.

Throwing away a Bergeron season would be a real waste.
 

ngruz25

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Meh, Anders Bjork and a second round draft pick are not very exciting assets to waste.

And I agree that the window is closing for the core. This team either needs to go for it now or in the next 2-3 years or totally blow it up. The farm stinks. Draft pick help is not incoming. I vote GFIN.
 

FL4WL3SS

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Why is it a waste?

Bottom seeds can, and do, win the Cup. Teams can and do get healthy for the playoffs. Hall is likely much better than Bjork the rest of the way. And Reilly >>>>> Tinordi. Some of the injuries are short term, and hopefully CoVid will be a non-issue for the playoffs.

Throwing away a Bergeron season would be a real waste.
Let's list all of the things that need to fall perfectly for the Bruins to even make it out of the first round and then let's compare that to the situation the Bruins find themselves in. It's a cost-benefit analysis.

Sure, everything can turn up roses and they can find lightening in a bottle and it'll all be worth it. More likely they don't make it out of the first round and find themselves with a bare cupboard and no roster players next year.
 

cshea

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Now that they made the Reilly and Hall deals, might as well lean in and spend it all. No sense in half-measures. See what a 1st and prospects can get you.
 

McDrew

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Now that they made the Reilly and Hall deals, might as well lean in and spend it all. No sense in half-measures. See what a 1st and prospects can get you.
I want to agree with you, but I'm unsure who is out there that would be worth it. There are so few sellers.
 

lexrageorge

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Let's list all of the things that need to fall perfectly for the Bruins to even make it out of the first round and then let's compare that to the situation the Bruins find themselves in. It's a cost-benefit analysis.

Sure, everything can turn up roses and they can find lightening in a bottle and it'll all be worth it. More likely they don't make it out of the first round and find themselves with a bare cupboard and no roster players next year.
First, if their cupboard for next season is Anders Bjork, then it was bare to begin with. He's had plenty of opportunities to find a rhythm with this team over the years.

The core of Bergeron, Marchand, Pastrnak, McAvoy, Carlo, Gryz, and Rask still works. Hall gives them a chance to fix their 2nd line; get 2 lines cranking and they have a shot to up their 5-on-5 game. Ride a hot goalie to first round upset and then anything can happen.

I never saw them selling assets; there's no chance of this ownership group punting a playoff season away. Hall could become a longer term fixture here; if so, he will be well worth the draft pick.
 

Dummy Hoy

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Let's list all of the things that need to fall perfectly for the Bruins to even make it out of the first round and then let's compare that to the situation the Bruins find themselves in. It's a cost-benefit analysis.

Sure, everything can turn up roses and they can find lightening in a bottle and it'll all be worth it. More likely they don't make it out of the first round and find themselves with a bare cupboard and no roster players next year.
I know you've been down on this team from the start, but fuck, man. Is not having your top 3 defenseman out injured really asking for things to "fall perfectly?" Is asking for one of your two goalies that have ever played in the NHL to be healty really asking for things to "fall perfectly?"

I'm not asking for Kase to not have a concussion history, or Carlo even for that matter, or asking for David Krecji to turn back the clock, or Wagner/Kuraly to regain their form of a few years ago. All I'm saying is that if they have the team they planned for (or even most of it), they're a good hockey team, and one who can make a run at a cup (though breaking through the upper echelon seems a touch beyond). I don't even disagree that they probably should have held pat (although I think the Hall acquisition is excellent if they can get him on a team friendly longer term deal), but the negativity is over the top (and certainly not just from you).

As far as a bare cupboard, going into next season they have 3 absolutely elite players, another 3-5 top players and a shitload of cap space. They've got some work to do (and you may be correct that Sweeney isn't the guy to trust to fix it- I don't know), but they're not going to be Buffalo.
 

RIFan

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I'm OK with both this and the Reilly trades. I really liked Bjork, but ultimately it's about production. Maybe his leash was too short, but he had his chances and couldn't convert the flashes into sustained production. I think the playoffs are always such a crapshoot that if you can get a potential difference maker like Hall without completely mortgaging the future you take the shot. Just look 2 years ago. TB looked unstoppable and Washington was defending champion with Holtby seemingly always having the Bruins number. No one was particularly high on their chances of making it to the finals. Certainly fewer were expecting STL to ride Binnington to the Cup. It sucks to lose the 2nd, but they've done OK with attracting undrafted college free agents to fill in the pipeline a little.

Maybe they're still a long shot to win it all, but they're also too good to punt the season unless you think the 1st few weeks when they were healthy were an absolute mirage. The last thing you'd want if you were Sweeney and Neely is to have them finish the regular season in relatively good health and had stood pat or worse became a seller. For the record, I don't think Sweeney's or Neely's seats are even remotely warm never mind hot.
 

FL4WL3SS

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I know you've been down on this team from the start, but fuck, man. Is not having your top 3 defenseman out injured really asking for things to "fall perfectly?" Is asking for one of your two goalies that have ever played in the NHL to be healty really asking for things to "fall perfectly?"

I'm not asking for Kase to not have a concussion history, or Carlo even for that matter, or asking for David Krecji to turn back the clock, or Wagner/Kuraly to regain their form of a few years ago. All I'm saying is that if they have the team they planned for (or even most of it), they're a good hockey team, and one who can make a run at a cup (though breaking through the upper echelon seems a touch beyond). I don't even disagree that they probably should have held pat (although I think the Hall acquisition is excellent if they can get him on a team friendly longer term deal), but the negativity is over the top (and certainly not just from you).

As far as a bare cupboard, going into next season they have 3 absolutely elite players, another 3-5 top players and a shitload of cap space. They've got some work to do (and you may be correct that Sweeney isn't the guy to trust to fix it- I don't know), but they're not going to be Buffalo.
I'm not being overly negative my man, I'm being realistic. I'm of the opinion that they will not get healthy enough and don't have the depth to make a meaningful run, I don't see the point in selling off assets, no matter how many flaws you see with those assets.

The reality is that your top 3 defenseman is injured and our goalies are out. Asking for them to get healthy is one thing, but making a bunch of mediocre trades in the hopes that everyone magically gets healthy and things start falling our way is a bridge too far for me and it's not like I super value Bjork or the picks. I just think it's a waste when there is just way too much to overcome.
 

BoSoxFink

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I'm not being overly negative my man, I'm being realistic. I'm of the opinion that they will not get healthy enough and don't have the depth to make a meaningful run, I don't see the point in selling off assets, no matter how many flaws you see with those assets.

The reality is that your top 3 defenseman is injured and our goalies are out. Asking for them to get healthy is one thing, but making a bunch of mediocre trades in the hopes that everyone magically gets healthy and things start falling our way is a bridge too far for me and it's not like I super value Bjork or the picks. I just think it's a waste when there is just way too much to overcome.
What if they re-sign Hall to say like a 4 year deal 5-6 per if he performs well for them down the stretch? Does that make giving up a 2nd for him a little better? There is not doubt they need more offense and Hall is obviously talented when right. Or are you not a fan of Hall at all?
 

FL4WL3SS

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What if they re-sign Hall to say like a 4 year deal 5-6 per if he performs well for them down the stretch? Does that make giving up a 2nd for him a little better? There is not doubt they need more offense and Hall is obviously talented when right. Or are you not a fan of Hall at all?
Absolutely.

Just one more item in the 'hope everything falls our way' bucket though.
 

NYCSox

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I'm not being overly negative my man, I'm being realistic. I'm of the opinion that they will not get healthy enough and don't have the depth to make a meaningful run, I don't see the point in selling off assets, no matter how many flaws you see with those assets.

The reality is that your top 3 defenseman is injured and our goalies are out. Asking for them to get healthy is one thing, but making a bunch of mediocre trades in the hopes that everyone magically gets healthy and things start falling our way is a bridge too far for me and it's not like I super value Bjork or the picks. I just think it's a waste when there is just way too much to overcome.
If it helps I think they don't make these trades if the expectation is that the D men and goalies aren't coming back in the near future.
 

RIFan

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Absolutely.

Just one more item in the 'hope everything falls our way' bucket though.
There is probably a little more than "hope" there. They went pretty far down the road last offseason with him so they have more than a general idea of his willingness to consider a deal, especially since they can now point at Buffalo and ask if he wants that again. Hall obviously steered the deal towards the B's with his NCM. No guarantees, but if they put some faith in their locker room to show him a winning environment they have more than a puncher's chance of locking him up for a reasonable rate.
 

cshea

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FWIW, I don't think the playoff path is all that daunting. They've been better against Washington lately, 3-1-2 this year. They usually match up well with Pittsburgh, 4-2 this year. The Islanders have been a problem but who knows, the Bruins had owned the Isles over 3-4 years up until now.
 

Myt1

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And maybe this is a discussion for another thread, but Krejci looks cooked to me.

The Marchand/Bergy/Smith line has been dominant. I have no problem keeping them together.

I'd love to see Coyle get a shot with Hall/Pasta - if only for a game or two. Coyle needs a jumpstart, and should have the footspeed to keep up with Hall. Hall opposite of Pasta opens up Pasta for his one timer look that teams have been able to cheat on for the last couple of weeks.

Put Krejci with DeBrusk and Ritchie and just hope they don't give [up too many goals, I guess.
I was going to suggest the same. Need to see a bit of what Coyle can actually do, as well.
 

FL4WL3SS

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There is probably a little more than "hope" there. They went pretty far down the road last offseason with him so they have more than a general idea of his willingness to consider a deal, especially since they can now point at Buffalo and ask if he wants that again. Hall obviously steered the deal towards the B's with his NCM. No guarantees, but if they put some faith in their locker room to show him a winning environment they have more than a puncher's chance of locking him up for a reasonable rate.
I mean, sure, there's a sliding scale of hope here where some things are more likely than others, but it's not unreasonable to point out that the bucket is pretty well full at the moment.

Listen, I hope I'm dead fucking wrong, I really do. History tells us that we should expect to be disappointed, teams don't overcome great odds at the end of the season to win very often. It'll be fun to root for it though.
 

cshea

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I mean, sure, there's a sliding scale of hope here where some things are more likely than others, but it's not unreasonable to point out that the bucket is pretty well full at the moment.

Listen, I hope I'm dead fucking wrong, I really do. History tells us that we should expect to be disappointed, teams don't overcome great odds at the end of the season to win very often. It'll be fun to root for it though.
FWIW, Dom's model at the Athletic has them at 7% to win the Cup. It is highest odds in the division and 4th overall behind Colorado, Toronto and Tampa. Not sure if he updated his model to include the Hall, Reilly and Lazar additions.

https://theathletic.com/2318775/2021/04/11/nhl-stanley-cup-playoffs-projected-standings/
 

DourDoerr

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Surprised and happy to see Hall aboard. Now we'll be Good Hall Hunting (kind of looks like Damon too) and hopefully he figures it out over the stretch. I'm counting on the focus the playoffs bring along with the B's experience to give us a shot. The biggest if is Rask which is not a shock to anyone here. If he's on, then the B's can be a tough out. With the clock running down on Bergy, I like the commitment to bolster the team's chances. It would truly suck to sit back and do nothing given the talent remaining on the roster.
 

TheRealness

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I mean, sure, there's a sliding scale of hope here where some things are more likely than others, but it's not unreasonable to point out that the bucket is pretty well full at the moment.

Listen, I hope I'm dead fucking wrong, I really do. History tells us that we should expect to be disappointed, teams don't overcome great odds at the end of the season to win very often. It'll be fun to root for it though.
I think they can line up with anyone in hockey at this point, and I couldn’t say that before the trade. Sure, Tuukka never gets healthy, neither does the defense, and this can go south. But, given Rask is close to returning, and the Bruins defense shouldn’t stay on the MASH unit all year, and I am optimistic.

I was pretty much against them selling off major assets for a run, but trading a 2nd and Bjork for Hall (who I bet re-signs) is real fuckin’ value man. Read Dom at the Athletic’s underlying numbers on Hall, inclduing driving lines and offense, and check cshea’s post... This guy has major potential to blossom here. Sure, he may not, but man do I love this move the more I think about it. Really good value for the Bruins.

I think they have to overcome some odds as any team in this situation would, but I don’t find those greater than any other team. The only team that I think is ahead of them all around is Tampa, and anything can happen by the time they end up in the conference finals when they would face either team.

I am just not scared by a Washington team with a shakly goalie and slow defense, a Pittsburgh team that can’t defend, and while the Islanders scare me a bit because any series against them will be close, I also believe the Bruins would and should be favorites in a series against them.
 

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I know he's already slotted with Krecji and Smith, but I can't see Hall and Pastrnak on the same line. Defensive nightmare. Maybe some PP time, but I can't see any way they are paired ES. Cassidy would throw a clot.

I think this is an interesting "show me" deal for Hall... there's no way they extend him in his age 30 season at significant $$ if he doesn't produce. This has a major Adrian Gonzalez feel to it.
 

FL4WL3SS

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I think they can line up with anyone in hockey at this point, and I couldn’t say that before the trade. Sure, Tuukka never gets healthy, neither does the defense, and this can go south. But, given Rask is close to returning, and the Bruins defense shouldn’t stay on the MASH unit all year, and I am optimistic.

I was pretty much against them selling off major assets for a run, but trading a 2nd and Bjork for Hall (who I bet re-signs) is real fuckin’ value man. Read Dom at the Athletic’s underlying numbers on Hall, inclduing driving lines and offense, and check cshea’s post... This guy has major potential to blossom here. Sure, he may not, but man do I love this move the more I think about it. Really good value for the Bruins.

I think they have to overcome some odds as any team in this situation would, but I don’t find those greater than any other team. The only team that I think is ahead of them all around is Tampa, and anything can happen by the time they end up in the conference finals when they would face either team.

I am just not scared by a Washington team with a shakly goalie and slow defense, a Pittsburgh team that can’t defend, and while the Islanders scare me a bit because any series against them will be close, I also believe the Bruins would and should be favorites in a series against them.
I don't have a subscription, so would love a synopsis.

In a vacuum, you're 100% right. Btw, I love the optimism here. It'll be fun rooting for them regardless of what happens.
 

veritas

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I think they can line up with anyone in hockey at this point, and I couldn’t say that before the trade. Sure, Tuukka never gets healthy, neither does the defense, and this can go south. But, given Rask is close to returning, and the Bruins defense shouldn’t stay on the MASH unit all year, and I am optimistic.

I was pretty much against them selling off major assets for a run, but trading a 2nd and Bjork for Hall (who I bet re-signs) is real fuckin’ value man. Read Dom at the Athletic’s underlying numbers on Hall, inclduing driving lines and offense, and check cshea’s post... This guy has major potential to blossom here. Sure, he may not, but man do I love this move the more I think about it. Really good value for the Bruins.
This is where I'm at. Hall is having a rough season finishing, but he is a great offensive player. And his upside is still MVP level play. The Bruins have *the* best group of wingers in the league, and I'm not even counting Kase...yet.


I know he's already slotted with Krecji and Smith, but I can't see Hall and Pastrnak on the same line. Defensive nightmare. Maybe some PP time, but I can't see any way they are paired ES. Cassidy would throw a clot.
I think they'd be fine, especially given o-zone draws. Pastrnak is bad in his own end but is a great forechecker. Hall doesn't have a reputation for being good defensively, but his underlying defensive metrics have varied from good to mediocre his whole career. He's certainly not a Thomas Vanek type of player. And his elite transition game indirectly helps on the defensive end.
 

burstnbloom

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Listening to Hall's comments today, I have no idea why he chose Buffalo in the offseason. Absolute head-scratcher.
The scuttlebutt during the UFA period was that there was a 3 year deal on the table with Boston but they'd have to wait until Boston moved salary and they opted to take the bird in the hand.
 

RG33

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I really like the Hall trade and am surprised at some of the commentary in here about Sweeney making these trades to save his job or Neely feeling any level of pressure. I think both are more comfortable than CBS, and I think CBS is pretty damn comfortable.

Anyways, of course they are going nowhere if Tuuka and their top 3 defensemen are out for the playoffs, but if they are healthy and start to click, this team can play with any team in the NHL.

I am much more in the camp of not wanting to see them waste a year of the “core” than worrying about whether or not the 30% hit rate on 2nd and 3rd rounders comes to fruition next year.
 

SoxinSeattle

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What I don't know about hockey could fill a warehouse but something seems very wrong with Hall. Can you guys fill me in on what it might be? Someone already mentioned the knee injury but this seems so much more than that.
 

veritas

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What I don't know about hockey could fill a warehouse but something seems very wrong with Hall. Can you guys fill me in on what it might be? Someone already mentioned the knee injury but this seems so much more than that.
Based on what? Are you referring to his game or his personality?
 

Jordu

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The Bruins got three NHL players for Anders Bjork, a 2nd and a 3rd.

Taylor Hall has played 664 NHL games, Mike Reilly has played 244 and Curtis Lazar has played 317.
 

The Gray Eagle

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I don't have a subscription, so would love a synopsis.

In a vacuum, you're 100% right. Btw, I love the optimism here. It'll be fun rooting for them regardless of what happens.
Here's all you need to know about Luszczyszyn's opinion:
Bruins grade: A+
Sabres grade: F-

Dom Luszczyszyn: Considering the current market, where both Nick Foligno and David Savard command a first-round pick, and where a backup goaltender can net a third, it is unfathomable to think a former MVP only cost a second and a marginal NHLer.

Hall has been a top-line talent throughout his career and though his value is not there this season, that’s almost entirely due to rotten shooting luck on the worst team in hockey. He still makes plays (he’s first in the league in high danger passing according to data tracked by Corey Sznajder), he still moves the puck up ice well (70 percent carry-in rate), and he still drives offence (top 20 in driving expected goals for). Hall has two goals in 37 games and that fact has been very publicized, but it only takes a limited amount of critical thinking to understand why. We see this time and time again — he’s not broken because he’s scoring on just 2.3 percent of his shots. He didn’t forget how to score, it’s an anomaly made worse by his surroundings. He’s a career 10 percent shooter and that’s much closer to what Boston should expect from him than what he did in Buffalo.
The Bruins capitalized on an extreme buy-low opportunity, parting with very little for a player who at his very worst is a middle-six forward. By GSVA, Hall is playing at a one-win pace this year, despite scoring just two goals — that’s his floor. He’s projected to deliver 1.4 wins per 82 still, a top-six winger rate. And that’s with his most recent data being skewered by bad luck. His ceiling, once he remembers how to score, is still a top-line winger and he has shown enough to still be that. If he can get there with Boston, the deal can be a real steal.

Hall is not the player he once was, but there are parts of his game that remain quite strong. He is still an elite play-maker and puck-mover. That still carries a ton of value and those inside hockey with access to better data than me have said similar things, confirming Sznajder’s tracked findings. He was the best forward available at his absolute floor. It’s more than reasonable to expect he’ll be significantly better in Boston, a much stronger team. It’s amazing a second is all it took (Curtis Lazar and Anders Bjork are a wash).

And look, I get this was a difficult one for Buffalo. The optics around Hall aren’t great and his poor play this season didn’t make things easy. He has two goals this year, his point-rate is down, and his teams never win. But this is seriously the best Buffalo could do? Foligno just went for a first and a fourth and Hall only got them a second? In the worst season of Hall’s career, an epic disappointment, he is still out-scoring Foligno, not to mention his play-driving stats are stronger too.

This is just as embarrassing for the other contending teams that couldn’t beat this offer, but the fact this happened a full 15 hours before the deadline is frankly pathetic for the Sabres. Sleep on it. Wait it out. There’s no way this tiny offer that will likely amount to nothing wasn’t going to be there in the morning.

Moves like this are the reason Buffalo is in the basement every season. It doesn’t matter who’s in charge, they’ll find some way to mess it up. This is an awful return.
 

DJnVa

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Both? Why is he underperforming? It can't just be being on bad teams can it?
There can be bad luck (which his shooting numbers clearly are) and the drag of being on a bad team and knowing you made a wrong decision getting yourself there.


EDIT: Is he playing tonight against Buffalo?
 

cshea

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Both? Why is he underperforming? It can't just be being on bad teams can it?
He won the league MVP 3 years ago in 2018 when he had 93 points in 76 games. The following year, 18-19, he had 37 points in 33 games before injuring his knee and missing the remainder of the regular season. He never really got back on track to that level last year, but still produced 52 points in 65 games split between New Jersey and Arizona.

This year has been a complete clusterfuck for him. For starters, he's shooting 2.3%. There's an element of luck involved with shooting percentage. His career average is 10% so if he was on that level this year, he'd have 8-9 goals (88 shots thus far). He's admitted his confidence is a bit shot. He played on a historically bad team. The idea was to pair him with Eichel but Eichel got hurt and that duo never really materialized. The team had a Covid outbreak, came back and lost 18 games in a row and then they shut him down in anticipation of a trade. Just a miserable experience. That said, if you look past the 2 goals, he's still creating scoring chances at an elite top-line level The Bruins are hoping to buy his regression to the mean (positive regression).

For some reason he has a reputation of being a loser and a bad teamate, but honestly, I think that is bull shit. I have not heard a single person actually say so. He's been in shitty situations his entire career. Edmonton was, and still is, a tire fire. New Jersey was a little better but he joined a team that finished 7th in their division the prior year so it wasn't like he was coming on to a good team. He carried them to the playoffs for 1 year before getting hurt and then the bottom falling out. Then he landed in Arizona, a similar disaster to Edmonton. Even this version of the Bruins will be by far the best team he's ever played on. He's also coming to a group with a strong locker room and leadership. He doesn't have to be the guy. On-ice, it should lead to the softest match-ups he's ever seen. Teams are still going to send their top defensemen out for 63/37. The ingredients are here for him to regain form and have success. We'll see what happens.
 

burstnbloom

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 12, 2005
2,761
Both? Why is he underperforming? It can't just be being on bad teams can it?
It's hard to know exactly why but there is a lot to be optimistic about with his performance in Buffalo, despite the numbers being quite bad. The concern comes with his admission yesterday that his confidence is shot. Hopefully that doesn't change who he is as a player. He's always been a below average finisher for his larger skill set but this 2.3% shooting percentage is insanely unlucky. If you look at whats happened this year in Buffalo, his three most common lines are below:

Eichel - Reinhart GF% 44.4%
Staal - Cozens GF% 42.9%
Stall - Reinhart GF% 33.3%

So not great. But if you look at the other stuff that is happening with those groups, it seems quite obvious that there is a lot of bad fortune there.

Eichel - Reinhart Corst% 63%
Staal - Cozens Cosri% 51.5%
Stall - Reinhart Corsi% 55.7%

Left wing lock has Hall as the unluckiest forward in the NHL this year. If you normalize his shooting percentage to his former career LOW he would have 9 goals. There is still a good player in there and I think the matchup advantage he will enjoy here is going to help. Maybe thats too optimistic but he's just too good to be this bad.
 

burstnbloom

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 12, 2005
2,761
He won the league MVP 3 years ago in 2018 when he had 93 points in 76 games. The following year, 18-19, he had 37 points in 33 games before injuring his knee and missing the remainder of the regular season. He never really got back on track to that level last year, but still produced 52 points in 65 games split between New Jersey and Arizona.

This year has been a complete clusterfuck for him. For starters, he's shooting 2.3%. There's an element of luck involved with shooting percentage. His career average is 10% so if he was on that level this year, he'd have 8-9 goals (88 shots thus far). He's admitted his confidence is a bit shot. He played on a historically bad team. The idea was to pair him with Eichel but Eichel got hurt and that duo never really materialized. The team had a Covid outbreak, came back and lost 18 games in a row and then they shut him down in anticipation of a trade. Just a miserable experience. That said, if you look past the 2 goals, he's still creating scoring chances at an elite top-line level The Bruins are hoping to buy his regression to the mean (positive regression).

For some reason he has a reputation of being a loser and a bad teamate, but honestly, I think that is bull shit. I have not heard a single person actually say so. He's been in shitty situations his entire career. Edmonton was, and still is, a tire fire. New Jersey was a little better but he joined a team that finished 7th in their division the prior year so it wasn't like he was coming on to a good team. He carried them to the playoffs for 1 year before getting hurt and then the bottom falling out. Then he landed in Arizona, a similar disaster to Edmonton. Even this version of the Bruins will be by far the best team he's ever played on. He's also coming to a group with a strong locker room and leadership. He doesn't have to be the guy. On-ice, it should lead to the softest match-ups he's ever seen. Teams are still going to send their top defensemen out for 63/37. The ingredients are here for him to regain form and have success. We'll see what happens.
Andrew Ference famously said that locker room was full of unprofessional players and Hall took a lot of the flack for that. Partying until 5am etc. John Moore also said "there aren't any dickheads here" when he signed in Boston and that was also put on Hall. Hard to know if that is fair or not, but to your point, Hall has literally never been in a good situation with a professional, winning room. I think we learn a lot about him over the past couple of months. Ryan Whitney went on a rant on this weeks spittin chiclets saying the character assassination of Taylor Hall is unwarranted and unfair.
 

DJnVa

Dorito Dawg
SoSH Member
Dec 16, 2010
53,850
It's hard to know exactly why but there is a lot to be optimistic about with his performance in Buffalo, despite the numbers being quite bad. The concern comes with his admission yesterday that his confidence is shot.
Well, the Bruins wanting him should give him a boost there I would hope.
 

burstnbloom

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 12, 2005
2,761
Well, the Bruins wanting him should give him a boost there I would hope.
Ya I think it would matter to him that they pursued him in the offseason, he had a terrible year, and they still tried to trade for him. It tells him that the Bruins still believe he is they player they wanted to invest in a couple of months ago. I also think he will get results and thats the biggest thing. Krejci is easily the best playmaking center he has played with since McDavid (despite all the hate Krejci gets) and he has never played against teams second pair D in his career. He has always been the guy that coaches match up their best D and defensive forwards against. If they do that against Hall now, Bergeron's line will score 8 goals. Hall is an extreme position to succeed here and I'm optimistic that he will. He won't be Hart trophy Hall but could I see 7 or 8 goals and 15 points the rest of the season? Absolutely. It will be fun to watch him bearing down on Matt Irwin and Jokiharu tonight. I think he comes out shot out of a cannon.