Chicago Blackhawks F Taylor Hall was caught off guard after being scratched on Saturday

Chicago Blackhawks forward Taylor Hall was given a healthy scratch for Saturday’s 4-1 loss to the Vancouver Canucks.

The veteran spoke to the media on Monday and said he was blindsided by his removal from the lineup.

“I was surprised by it. It was unexpected from a standpoint, I just didn’t know I was even close to that spot,” Hall said. “If there were conversations happening in the days leading up to my game or if I was shown video all the time, that would be one thing, but I was a little surprised.”

The 33-year-old has scored two goals and four assists in 17 games this season, his second with the Blackhawks. He had gone without a point in four consecutive games before being scratched and has not scored a goal since October 22.

Chicago is last in the NHL with a 6-11-1 record and 13 points so far.

Hall was acquired via trade from the Boston Bruins in June 2023, together with Nick Folignoin exchange for Ian Mitchell And Alec Regula. He played just ten games last season after undergoing knee surgery on November 23, 2023 that kept him out for the rest of the season.

The Calgary native is in the final year of a four-year, $24 million contract he signed with the Bruins in 2021.

The 2017-18 Hart Trophy winner has recorded 268 goals and 703 points in 849 career games with the Blackhawks, Bruins, Devils from New Jersey, Arizona coyotes, Buffalo sabersAnd Edmonton Oil Companies.

He was selected first overall by the Oilers in the 2010 NHL Draft.