Former MVP Taylor Hall, Nick Foligno traded to the Chicago Blackhawks

Chicago Blackhawks trade for Taylor Hall and Nick Foligno from Boston Bruins, giving up defensive prospects Alec Regula and Ian Mitchell.

The Chicago Blackhawks have made a significant move to accelerate their rebuild and potentially become contenders in the coming years. The team announced on Monday that they have reached a trade agreement with the Boston Bruins to acquire forwards Taylor Hall and Nick Foligno.

Hawks general manager Kyle Davidson expressed his excitement about adding players of Hall and Foligno's caliber to the organization. He believes that their experience and leadership will not only strengthen the team's forward group but also aid in the development of the entire roster.

In exchange for Hall and Foligno, the Bruins received defensive prospects Alec Regula and Ian Mitchell from the Hawks in a draft-week trade. This trade allows the Bruins to potentially free up cap space, as Hall had been rumored as a likely cap casualty due to the team's limited cap space.

The addition of Hall, who is 31 years old, clears $6 million off the Bruins' books over the next two seasons. This move could be crucial for the Bruins, as they navigate the uncertain futures of winger Tyler Bertuzzi and unrestricted free agents Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci, both of whom are 37 years old.

Hall, who won the Hart Trophy in 2018, brings a strong offensive presence to the Blackhawks. During that award-winning season, he recorded 39 goals and 54 assists for the New Jersey Devils. The Hawks also retain the rights to negotiate with Foligno, who is 35 years old and an unrestricted free agent.

As part of the trade, the Blackhawks sent Alec Regula and Ian Mitchell to the Bruins. Regula, a third-round pick by the Detroit Red Wings in 2018, played in four games for the Hawks last season. Mitchell, a second-round pick by the Hawks in 2017, struggled to find consistent success at the pro level, recording four goals and 12 assists in 82 games over three seasons.

This trade signifies the Blackhawks' commitment to their rebuild and their desire to become contenders in the near future. With $31.6 million in projected cap space, the team has the flexibility to make additional moves to bolster their roster.

Overall, this trade has the potential to reshape the Blackhawks' future and put them on a path towards contention. The addition of Hall and Foligno, along with the retention of cap space, provides the team with the tools they need to accelerate their rebuild and compete with the league's top teams in the coming years.