As the Chicago Blackhawks continue their extensive rebuild and face another season with one of the league's lowest records, their status as active sellers ahead of the NHL trade deadline is almost certain. Among the players likely to be moved is forward Taylor Hall. Various teams around the league may express interest in Hall, despite a decline in his production. Analysts suggest that the 33-year-old winger could be available for as little as a second- or third-round pick, with the Blackhawks potentially willing to retain some of his remaining $6 million salary to enhance his appeal in the trade market. Entering Wednesday's games, Hall had recorded eight goals and 21 points in 39 contests, translating to a projected pace of 15 goals and 40 points over an 82-game season. While this level of production may not meet top-line standards, it could still attract a contender seeking secondary scoring.

One potential destination for Hall could be the New Jersey Devils, where he previously spent three and a half years from 2016 to 2019, achieving an MVP season and scoring 76 goals in 211 games. The Devils are likely to seek additional secondary scoring as they aim for a possible Stanley Cup run this season. With a solidified goaltender in Jacob Markstrom and a healthier roster, the team appears to be a genuine contender in the Eastern Conference. Hall's return could make sense, especially given that New Jersey holds multiple second-round picks and a third-round pick in the upcoming 2025 NHL Draft. Although their current offensive output of 3.19 goals per game ranks 11th in the NHL, acquiring Hall would add depth to their scoring, particularly as they face stiff competition within the Eastern Conference playoffs. Although Hall's playoff experience has been limited, he has nonetheless tallied 14 goals in 39 career playoff games, including a notable five-goal, eight-point performance during his last postseason with the Boston Bruins in 2022-23.

The Ottawa Senators, who have been absent from the playoffs for the past seven seasons, find themselves on the brink of contention in the Eastern Conference wild-card race. Following a significant rebuild and the addition of No. 1 goalie Linus Ullmark, there is a sense of urgency for the Senators to return to the postseason. However, they must remain cautious in their approach to asset allocation. While they may be a playoff-hopeful team, constructing a Stanley Cup-contending roster appears out of reach. Thus, Hall could represent an ideal target for Ottawa; his acquisition would likely require minimal assets and, if priced as a second- or third-round pick, would preserve the team's long-term interests. Additionally, Hall could boost an offense currently averaging just 2.92 goals per game, ranking 21st in the NHL, providing the Senators with much-needed scoring support at a manageable cost.

The Washington Capitals, who made the playoffs last year without significant expectations, find themselves in a much improved position this season. After a transformative offseason that greatly enhanced the team's offensive, defensive, and goaltending units, the Capitals have emerged as one of the NHL's strongest teams through the first half of the season, presenting a compelling case as a Cup contender. With star player Alex Ovechkin's window closing, the Capitals must capitalize on this opportunity. Although they currently rank among the league's highest-scoring teams with an average of 3.66 goals per game, recent struggles in offensive consistency suggest the addition of another winger could be beneficial. Should the Capitals seize the opportunity to acquire Hall at a low cost, it could bolster their already deep offensive lineup while preventing a rival team from landing him. With two second-round picks and a third-round pick available in this year's draft, Washington is well-positioned to meet Chicago's asking price.

The Toronto Maple Leafs face a crucial necessity to enhance their scoring capabilities, particularly evident in their recent playoff shortcomings. This need has often been attributed to both their core players—including Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, John Tavares, and William Nylander—and their depth scorers. Despite having top-line talent, insufficient scoring has hindered their playoff runs, and this year, given the pressure to succeed in the postseason, the team must explore every option prior to the trade deadline. The Leafs do not require another top-line scorer, as they possess several elite forwards; instead, a player who can operate in a middle-six capacity and offer additional secondary scoring would be invaluable. Hall fits this profile, making him a logical target for Toronto as they aim for playoff success.

The Dallas Stars find themselves in an environment where expectations are arguably championship-or-bust. After reaching the Western Conference Final for two consecutive years, the team is poised to make a deeper playoff run. With Tyler Seguin currently unavailable due to injury, the Stars must consider adding another forward, especially in light of their power play's struggles, which ranks among the league's worst at only 16.8 percent. Should the Stars choose to place Seguin on Long-Term Injured Reserve (LTIR), they could create additional cap space to pursue a more significant acquisition at the trade deadline. However, even without such a move, Hall could be an appealing addition to the Stars' roster. As one of the league's best teams, the Stars are expected to be aggressive buyers as the trade deadline approaches, making Hall an intriguing option.