Former Edmonton Oilers star Taylor Hall breaks his silence on being benched

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Patrick Frost
November 19, 2024 (1:54 PM)

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The Chicago Blackhawks are reaching a low point in their season, and former Edmonton Oilers ace Taylor Hall seems to be frustrated after head coach Luke Richardson benched him before last Saturday's game against the Vancouver Canucks.

During practice yesterday, Taylor Hall spoke to the Blackhawks media, breaking down the situation from his point of view.

It appears that Taylor Hall felt pretty blind-sided by Luke Richardson, stating he had no idea his game was slumping to the point where being healthy scratched was even an option.

Taylor Hall reluctantly admitted there was very little communication between he and Richardon, and Hall felt "surprised" to be removed from the lineup.

"I was surprised. It was unexpected, from the standpoint of I just didn't know I was even close to being in that spot, really," Hall said Monday.

"If there were some conversations in the days leading up about my game, or if I was constantly being shown video, that would be one thing. So I was a bit surprised."
-Taylor Hall

After Luke Richardson made his decision public, he admits that he could have handled the situation better.

"That could be part of my problem, too. Sometimes you give veterans a little bit more of a grace period," he said in a post-practice interview posted by CHGO Sports.

"For me to communicate with him, I need to get to know the player more, to see how they like to handle that. We talked lots during and after, but maybe it needs to be more before [the scratch]."

Taylor Hall's name has also been rumoured to be on the trade block leading into the NHL deadline. Could a potential reunion in Oil Country be on the cards? Time will tell.