Ex-Bruin has a solution for Taylor Hall's number dilemma

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Taylor Hall is in a bit of a predicament.

The new Boston Bruins winger, acquired from the Buffalo Sabres on Monday in a major trade, needs a new number, and both of his likely top choices are taken.

Hall wore No. 4 during his first six seasons with the Edmonton Oilers, switched to No. 9 with the New Jersey Devils and went back to No. 4 with the Sabres this season.

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But No. 4 (Bobby Orr) and No. 9 (Johnny Bucyk) are both retired in Boston for a pair of B's legends. So, what might Hall's third option be?

Former Bruins forward Marc Savard gave Hall his blessing to wear the No. 91 sweater while reacting to the trade Monday morning.

Savard is the only player in Bruins history to wear No. 91. He made two All-Star teams over five stellar seasons in Boston before his career was tragically cut short due to concussions, so it makes sense why no B's player has worn 91 since.

But Savard appears comfortable with Hall bringing the number back.

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Ironically, Hall admitted a few years ago he chose No. 4 in Edmonton because his mother was a huge Orr fan. He went with No. 9 in New Jersey because he thought it was a "cool number" worn by a lot of elite players.

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Considering No. 14 (Chris Wagner), 40 (Tuukka Rask) and 41 (Jaroslav Halak) are all taken in Boston, Hall may have to take the "nine" route and snag Savard's former sweater.

While Hall won't wear No. 4, the Bruins are hoping he can return to his Edmonton form. The 2018 Hart Trophy winner has scored 20-plus goals in six seasons but tallied just two goals through 37 games with the Sabres this season.

UPDATE (1 p.m. ET): Hall is going in a different direction by choosing No. 71, per the Bruins.

Savard actually wore No. 71 with the B's in 2007 before switching to No. 91, so Hall is still paying tribute to the ex-Bruin.

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