Taylor Hall, Trades, Madness and Common Sense

The Edmonton Oilers will, without a doubt in my mind, be making some major changes this off-season. After a year of viewing the roster, GM Peter Chiarelli and coach Todd McLellan have a feel for this team’s strengths and weaknesses. Judging by their comments, they know what they have and what they need, and judging by their frustration levels, they are already sick of losing.

Safely, we can call Connor McDavid an untouchable player. He’s a tremendous young talent and is already one of the top players in the NHL. This kid is a special talent who has the chance to be the best player in the NHL one day, I truly believe that. Leon Draisaitl, a highly skilled and young giant who plays center, is also probably an untouchable for Edmonton. After all, it’s so tough to get players with size, skill and speed like Leon.

Elliotte Friedman, one of the top insiders in the NHL, all but confirmed that in this week’s 30 Thoughts, which can be read here.

5. Coach Todd McLellan’s exasperation with his forwards grows on a game-by-game basis. At this point, I assume the only untouchables up-front are Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.

When Elliotte wrote this, Twitter and a few Oiler blogs exploded with the usual “Taylor Hall is in play” topic. For some reason, Oiler fans are obsessed with Hall and moving him. The first overall pick in the 2010 NHL draft never dragged the Oilers out of the abyss, but he’s been a terrific player since joining the club.

At this stage of his career, he’s a legit top-line forward and he’s one of the five best left wingers in the NHL, only clearly behind Alex Ovechkin and Jamie Benn. Call me crazy, but I think that is a very valuable player.

Hall is a guy who creates tons of chances, posts high point totals (already at 60 this season) and who drives the possession when on the ice. For a poor team like Edmonton, that’s an extremely important piece. I don’t think people truly appreciate him.

Is that to say he is perfect? Absolutely not. Hall has some weak areas to his game, mainly away from the puck. He’s improved defensively, but he’s a guy who still has some poor moments when it comes to playing a complete game. There are also some character questions here, but NOTHING has been confirmed either way, so it is all hearsay.

Yes, the Oilers as a team have been a dumpster fire since Hall came on board, but that is not his fault. When you take a look at the defenders he has played with over the years, you’ll understand why the team has been a mess. Not once in his six year career has Taylor Hall had a number one defender on his roster or a team that has been balanced. Is that his fault? Absolutely not.

To this observer, it is absolute madness to chase Taylor Hall out of town, like some fans and media members are trying to do. He is an extremely talented player who could play on the top line of ANY team in the NHL. Outside of Connor McDavid, he is the most valuable Edmonton Oiler.

Is Taylor Hall Untouchable?:

While chasing him out is madness, calling him untouchable is also a bold call. Hear me out for a second friends, Taylor Hall is certainly a movable piece. It would leave a massive hole in the lineup, but if Edmonton could get its hands on a legit number one defender, then Hall should be on the table.

Here is a fact, a number one defender is much more important and harder to get than a number one left winger. If a player like PK Subban, Erik Karlsson or another comparable shook loose, then Taylor Hall should absolutely be in play. Edmonton badly needs a number one defenceman and Taylor Hall could get you exactly that.

If the St. Louis Blues called and offered up Alex Pietrangelo for Taylor Hall, you would be a fool to say no. That’s not disrespecting Taylor Hall or running him out of town, that’s making a move to strengthen the biggest weakness on your hockey team.

Taylor Hall is a helluva hockey player and is a key piece to the Edmonton Oilers, but if you can get a number one defender for him then he should be on the table. Again, that’s not a knock on Hall, that’s just an honest assessment of where the Oilers are at right now.

Final Thoughts:

A lot of fans and media members are running Hall out of town and slinging mud at the young forward. Personally, I think that is insane. Taylor Hall is a great player and the Oilers should try their hardest to keep him in the fold moving forward.

That said, Hall is also the most valuable piece that you could move and there is a possibility he could fill a massive hole. As good as he is, Hall should not be untouchable if a legit defender is on the table.

Run him out of town and trade him for the sake of it? Absolutely not, that is madness. If the right deal presents itself? Then all bets are off.

Judging by Friedman’s comments and the smoke coming from Edmonton, that Hall trade scenario may well just present itself this summer. Common sense would be to try your best to hang onto Hall until you get an offer you simply cannot refuse.