Taylor Hall signs four-year, $24 million contract with Bruins originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
Taylor Hall is returning to the Boston Bruins.
The free agent left winger has signed a four-year, $24 million contract with the Bruins, the team announced Friday night.
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Both the Bruins and Hall had expressed mutual interest in a reunion. Hall made it known on several occasions that he wanted to remain with the Bruins beyond the 2020-21 season.
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Hall was acquired by Boston in a deal with the Buffalo Sabres just before the April 12 NHL trade deadline. The B's sent forward Anders Bjork and a 2021 second-round draft pick to Buffalo for Hall and fourth-line forward Curtis Lazar.
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He quickly became a great fit on the second line alongside center David Krejci and right winger Craig Smith. This line dominated during 5-on-5 action in the last 16 games of the regular season, helping the Bruins control over 65 percent of all shot attempts and shots on net, while outscoring opponents 13-1.
Hall tallied 14 points (eight goals, six assists) in 16 games for the Bruins. He posted five points (three goals, two assists) in 11 games during the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Sweeney: Bruins will try to be 'aggressive' in upgrading defense
Now that Hall has signed, the Bruins can turn their attention to a few other important free agents, including Krejci and defenseman Mike Reilly.
Acquiring a top-four defenseman also should be at, or near the top of the Bruins' offseason priority list.