Rumor: Oilers in the hunt for Taylor Hall
The NHL trade deadline is only 5 days away and it seems that this may be one of the quietest deadlines in recent memory. There are only a few players that seem destined for a new address come Monday, but the Buffalo Sabres' Taylor Hall is nearly a lock to be moved. Hall's career may come full circle with a reunion with the team that drafted him first overall in Edmonton.
Former NHL GM and insider Doug MacLean was on 630 CHED radio in Edmonton today and mentioned the Oilers were "in on" Taylor Hall. MacLean also went on to state that Edmonton was working on a deal to sign both Hall and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins for less than $12 million combined for both pending UFA's. The Oilers have been rumored to want to add to their top-six forward group all season. Edmonton is tight against the cap and would have to move out a bigger contract to make a trade with the Sabres work. The likely return for Buffalo would be a 1st round pick, one of Zack Kassian or maybe Mikko Koskinen and top AHL prospect such as Cooper Marody/Tyler Benson. Hall has a full no movement clause, so the Sabres may be limited in options come April 12th.
Oilers fans have never forgiven the trade of Taylor Hall in 2016 by the GM Peter Chiarelli. Hall was the first 1st overall pick in Edmonton Oilers history, a return to Edmonton and joining fellow Hart trophy winners McDavid and Draisaitl would make the Oilers heavy favorites to come out of the North Division and make the final four of the Stanley Cup playoffs. We will find out by Monday if Taylor Hall will be playing for his 4th team in the last 16 months.
photo credit: Vincent Carchietta/USA Today Sports
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