Chicago Blackhawks left wing Taylor Hall said he was “surprised” to be a healthy scratch on Saturday, saying coach Luke Richardson had given him no prior indication it was even a possibility.
Hall, 33, is in his second season with the Blackhawks. He has six points (2 goals, 4 assists) in 17 games with Chicago after being limited to just 10 games last season due to ACL surgery on his right knee. Hall is in his 15th NHL season, having won the Hart Trophy as league MVP with New Jersey in 2017-18.
“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,” said Hall on 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.”
Richardson indicated on Saturday that he wanted to get Hall more practice time before reinserting him in the lineup. But Hall said his absence from the lineup will end on Tuesday, as he expects to play at home against the Anaheim Ducks after speaking with Richardson. Both player and coach claimed they’re on “the same page” after Hall left the lineup.
“We communicated. It wasn’t anything argumentative. He thought it was best for me to reset, so that’s what I’m going to do,” said Hall. “I’m not immune to coach or immune to being held accountable. I just want to play better and be better for our team.”
Richardson admitted on Monday that his communication with Hall could have been more considerate.
“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 Blackhawks. “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].”
Richardson defended the move, following the Blackhawks’ 4-1 loss to the Canucks.
“I know he’s been frustrated. I don’t want the frustration to lead too long. So maybe it was a good time for a setback,” said the coach of Hall.
The Blackhawks have the worst points percentage in the NHL through 18 games, with a lineup full of underperforming players. Hall has the same number of points as Tyler Bertuzzi, a key free-agent acquisition last summer. Connor Bedard, last season’s rookie of the year, leads the team with 13 points but only has 3 goals in 18 games.
