NHL Insider Believes Taylor Hall Is Going Back To The Edmonton Oilers

The NHL trade deadline is just 28 days away and the rumor mill is churning butter. The Edmonton Oilers are said to be interested in acquiring Taylor Hall from the Buffalo Sabres, according to NHL Insider Scott Burnside.

Hall has put up 2 goals and 14 assists in 26 games played this season. He has been far from the dominant force the Sabres expected him to be when he signed a 1 year deal worth $8 million. Ken Holland is believed to be willing to pull the trigger on many large size trades and reacquiring their former 1st overall pick is on the list of priorities.

Burnside has stated that the Sabres would have to retain 50% of Hall's salary. Further, the Oilers would likely trade away James Neal in exchange, which also alleviates $5.75 million in cap space over the next two seasons. Hall has not performed with the Arizona Coyotes or the Buffalo Sabres which prevents GM Kevyn Adams from acquiring high draft picks.

Maybe the Oilers sweeten the pot if the Sabres took Neal off their hands. If you're Adam and you agreed to take on Neal - two more years at a head smacking $5.75 million - even if only to buy him out, you'd be looking at a collection of picks and perhaps even an ask of one of the team's handful of emerging young defensemen.