Taylor Hall knows what it’s like to be the first overall pick in the NHL Draft and be labelled the “face of the franchise”. Now with the Chicago Blackhawks, Hall can provide his experience to help the latest player wearing that label, Connor Bedard. 

CONNOR BEDARD GETS HIS FIRST CAREER NHL GOAL ON THE WRAPAROUND 🔥 pic.twitter.com/PJq6Ed8TQl

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) October 11, 2023

Bedard is the game’s next big star, and because of that, the NHL and even opposing teams have been using him to help advertise/sell/bring awareness to the game and their teams for ticket sales, merchandise and more. The 18-year-old phenom has been more than gracious in giving his time to fans and media alike and Hall thinks it is too much to burden his rookie teammate. 

” It’s too much” – Taylor Hall

“It can be a little much for him at times. He doesn’t say that, but it feels like it is.”

Taylor Hall believes the media attention surrounding his teammate Connor Bedard is a little much. pic.twitter.com/8w81vG1USi

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) October 16, 2023

Hall had been out with an injury, suffered after a legal hit from the Boston Bruins’ Brendan Carlo in Chicago’s second game of the season. The good news for him is that he only missed two games and had been travelling with the team.  

The Bedard show has arrived in Toronto! Bedard chatting with Taylor Hall… who missed yesterday’s game vs. Montreal (upper body injury). @Sportsnet pic.twitter.com/BIToNBDhrV

— Katrina Squazzin (@katrinasquazzin) October 15, 2023

Hall was asked how Bedard is handling the “circus tour” and Hall responded that he ” think(s) he’s handling it really well.” adding “He does way too many in-game interviews and stuff. I think they need to find a way to just let him play”. Hall has acknowledged Bedard’s newfound role as an ambassador of the game but still thinks it’s too much to ask of someone making their first steps into the NHL, especially at such a young age. 

With the Blackhawks still needing to do the work needed to improve on the ice, such as video sessions and practice. But more importantly during intermissions, where Bedard is continually being kept out of the dressing room as he gives interviews, which eats away at valuable time for the young center to be learning what adjustments he needs to make for the next period of play.  While these demands on Bedard’s time on game days will start to lessen, he is forced to face the issue in the meantime.  He is the newest star, but like Sidney Crosby faced as a rookie, Bedard will eventually be given more quiet time as the novelty of the latest marketing star decreases. 

Hall has come a long way in his career where he started as a top prospect, star of a franchise and becoming a distraction to that team. From there he has matured and now fills the role of mentor for Bedard. Hall being traded to Chicago from Boston is a great situation for him to revive his career but also provides the support needed to allow a phenom to blossom.