When the Carolina Hurricanes acquired Taylor Hall in January 2025, his addition to the team was overlooked, while his production, especially at the end of the regular season, was underappreciated. The team liked what they saw enough to give Hall a three-year extension, keeping the former #1 pick in Raleigh for the next few years.
In his first full season with the Canes, it was a little unclear what his role would be. At this stage in his career, Hall still had plenty to give offensively, but he was no longer relied upon to be a top-line winger. In Carolina, he could float around the lineup, get some time on the power play, and be a brilliant depth piece for a contender. In 2025-26, he was all of that and more.
Hall made each line he played on better before finding a permanent home
In 80 games during the regular season, Hall posted his highest point total (48) since the 2021-22 season when he played for the Boston Bruins. He finished just shy of 20 goals once again, potting 18, and was seventh on the team in scoring overall. Nearly half of his points came after the Olympic break, scoring 21 points in 23 games to close the year. He was also the team's Masterton candidate.
Hall spent some time on the fourth line early in the year, playing well next to Mark Jankowski and Eric Robinson. He also got some time next to Jordan Staal and Sebastian Aho throughout the year. However, the line he stuck with the most was the team's second line, joining the young guns, Logan Stankoven and Jackson Blake. When the lights got bright, this trio was ready for anything.
Ask anyone who watched the Canes' postseason run closely, and they'll tell you that this line was the team's best. They were three of Carolina's top four scorers, with Hall finishing second on the team and fourth in the league with 19 points in 19 games. Hall was also a league-best +14. He opened the playoffs on a six-game point streak, including a team-high seven points against the Senators.
He wasn't above scoring a big goal or two during the playoffs, either. He netted the first overtime goal of his postseason career in Game 2 against the Flyers. Hall also combined for nine points in the team's four elimination games. He recorded three-point games against Philadelphia and Montreal to close those series before scoring the Cup-clinching goal to open Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final.
In Year 2, there's no reason why Hall can't go even bigger
While he's set to turn 35 years old in November, Hall will still be an important piece of the puzzle for the defending champions. I see no reason why Rod Brind'Amour can't keep his line together to begin the new campaign, hoping that the chemistry from last season carries over. There was something magical about what the three of them did together.
Like all good things, they're bound to end at some point, and this coaching staff's willingness to change things up when they get tough is why I think we'll see Hall all over the lineup again. Still, he should get plenty of time on the team's second power play. Hall only scored three goals on the power play last season, one of the worst outputs of his career.
It's still a little surreal that a former MVP is taking the ice for the Canes, even all this time later. It's even cooler that he'll be forever tied to the organization as a Stanley Cup champion. While his career might not have taken the traditional path for most first picks, Hall's career is nothing to scoff at. He's expected to reach 1,000 games in October, and 800 points is well within reach, too.
Add us as a preferred source on Google