When Taylor Hall was selected first overall in the 2010 NHL draft, his future linemates were barely old enough to tie their own skates. Logan Stankoven was just 7 years old at the time, and Jackson Blake was days away from turning 7.
More than fifteen years later, the trio nicknamed the “Kids and the Hall” line became the driving force behind the Carolina Hurricanes claiming the Stanley Cup.
“Great all playoffs, all year,” head coach Rod Brind’Amour said of the line. “Their game really hasn’t changed for months.”
While the Hurricanes faced power-play struggles in the first three rounds and inconsistent production from the top line of Seth Jarvis, Sebastian Aho, and Andrei Svechnikov, Hall, Stankoven, and Blake stepped up in a big way. The three combined for 29 of Carolina’s 66 goals during the entire playoff run, including the two that sealed the deal against goaltender Carter Hart in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final against Vegas.
Hall scored what will be remembered as the game-winning goal in Game 6, completing what turned out to be the longest gap between being drafted first overall and hoisting the Cup — 18 seasons. The 34-year-old winger, who won the NHL MVP award in 2017-18 with New Jersey, embraced a supporting role with Carolina, his seventh franchise in the league. He joined the Hurricanes from Chicago as part of a three-team trade in January 2025 and later signed a contract extension.
“You never know what kind of turn your life’s going to take,” Hall said. “I got fortunate coming here. A special group to do it with. They allowed me, personally, just to come in and have success and that says a lot.”
That same trade also brought big winger Mikko Rantanen to Carolina from Colorado, though he lasted only 13 games with the team before being dealt to Dallas. The key piece coming back in that transaction was Stankoven, who had been in the middle of his first season with the Stars.
“I didn’t see it coming,” Stankoven admitted. “It was tough at first just to kind of swallow it and realize that I was getting shipped out.”
Despite the initial shock, Stankoven quickly found his footing as the center Carolina had long been searching for. He finished the playoffs leading the team with 11 goals. Meanwhile, Blake — the youngest player to lift the Cup this time around — assisted on Hall’s goal and added one of his own on Sunday night.
“I have no words right now,” said the 22-year-old Blake. “I’m out of breath. But this is the greatest feeling I’ve ever had in my life. It’s unbelievable. And to do it with these guys, my family here and everyone here supporting us, it’s unbelievable.”
Each player found a distinct role within the line. Hall provided the physical presence, Blake distributed the puck, and Stankoven emerged as the finisher while also generating offense at even strength.
“It’s what you dream of as a kid — to win a Stanley Cup, but also to be a difference-maker in the NHL,” said the 23-year-old Stankoven. “I know that I’m not a finished product. I still have work to put in, and I’m still a young guy. I just want to keep working at my game and just being a sponge.”
While Dallas is certainly pleased to have Rantanen in his prime, Stankoven made the most of his trade 15 months ago. Last summer, he signed an $48 million contract running through 2034, and his playoff performance suggests the investment was well worth it.
“Everything kind of happens for a reason,” Stankoven said. “Dallas got their player, and I just want to become the best version of myself here in Carolina.”
