Bruins trade Taylor Hall to Blackhawks over salary cap adjustment

 

BOSTON – The Bruins are in a very uncomfortable position at the end of this season regarding the salary cap. Don Sweeney has less than $5 million to fill some of the gaps in the roster, which is likely to lead to some disappointing moves and standards being lifted in the coming weeks.

One such move was decided Monday afternoon when the Bruins traded Taylor Hall and his $6 million cap to the Chicago Blackhawks.

As well as sending Hall to The Windy City, the Bruins also sent Nick Foligno unlimited free agent negotiating rights. In exchange, the Bruins got restricted free-player rights to Chicago's Ian Mitchell and Alec Regula.

But cutting Hall's salary for the next season was Boston's main motivation for trading the veteran, and they did it with that move.

It makes sense for Chicago, which finished first in Thursday's NHL Draft after a 26-49-7 season in 2022-23. They will use this option for 17-year-old midfielder Connor Bedard.

Lacking talent above and below Chicago's roster, Bedard could use a solid vet on his side in 2010, Hall's first overall pick, 31.