Favorite Edmonton Oilers of All Time: #4. Taylor Hall

The Final Four! Last week, I had Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Sheldon Souray as numbers six and five respectively. Today I will be discussing the fitting choice at number four: Taylor Hall.

A quick comment: Choosing Oilers from the modern era that I grew up in has been difficult. It has been a challenge trying to think of some of the players I really enjoyed throughout the years, mostly because of how mediocre the Edmonton Oilers have been. Of course, this is not a best of all time list, just a purely subjective opinion of some guy’s favorite Edmonton Oilers.

With that said, here’s Taylor Hall and why he’s ranked here.

Hall Recap

Taylor Hall was the Edmonton Oilers first ever 1st Overall Pick back in 2010. A rare back to back winner of the Stafford Smythe Trophy as Memorial Cup MVP, Hall enjoyed two seasons of championships with the Windsor Spitfires. In his rookie year, Hall posted 42 points in an injury shortened season where he played 65 games. Hall would increase that point total in 2011-12, posting 53 points in four less games than the previous season, with 61 games played. Thanks to the NHL Lockout, Hall would split time between Oklahoma City and Edmonton, where with the Oilers he had his first Point Per Game season by posting an impressive 50 points in 45 games. His next season in 2013-14 would be his breakout year: playing in a career high 75 games, Hall posted 27 goals and 80 points, setting new career highs in assists, points and game played while tying his 27 goal mark back in his second season.

Last season it looked like Hall would continue that trend but his season was cut short yet again and by his standards, posted only 38 points in 53 games played. Both those totals (not counting the lockout year), would be his lowest so far in his career.

That said, the season coming up is filled with excitement. Hall has recently been skating at the BioSteel Hockey Camp with his future teammate and potential line mate, Connor McDavid. Even though it was just scrimmages, the praise given to both players were high and some chemistry has been forming. If there is one player that will benefit the most from the Canadian Super Promise, it’ll be Taylor Hall. Hall is a dynamic forward with some of the top end speed in the game combined with a killer wrist shot. When Hall is coming down from the wing at full speed, it’s quite the sight to watch.

Why Hall at #4?

Because that’s his jersey number!

The end.

No seriously, I’ve been a fan of Taylor Hall prior to his draft class in 2010. I remember reading about him in the 2009 Hockey News Future Watch, where they were predicting some of the top draft picks for the 2010 draft. He was listed right at the top so was worth a follow.

Back to that 2009-10 year, that was my second year of college. I was proudly wearing my Souray Jersey and….that’s pretty much the highlight of the season. It was one of the WORST seasons of all time. Seriously, look at this pathetic roster. Just awful. Unlike 2006-2007, it was hard to really blame it on injuries. There was a complete lack of skill. It was an ugly, ugly season, which was also Pat Quinn’s final NHL season as a head coach.

If there was one cherry on top, it seemed like the word rebuild was finally being used. Management seemed set to no longer being that bubble team and going for big names in futile vain during Free Agency. It was going to be painful (although in hindsight, we never knew HOW painful and long it was going to be). When the draft lottery was finished, the Oilers had their first ever 1st overall selection.

Remember: it was a close race. It was Taylor vs Tyler (Seguin). It was a close pick: I remember going from Hall in early season, to Seguin in January but back to Hall in March. I was firm on being a fan of our first overall pick.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYY1CYQ1zjc

Hall was also the second player where I bought his jersey. Story behind that was bold: Nobody knew what number he was wearing, but a couple weeks before camp, I decided to gamble and get Hall crested with the number 4 on the Blue jersey. Turns out, I was right. Good hunch!

Also, there was the Rookie Development Camp in 2010 which was my first development camp I visited. It was a great four days as I was able to get a bunch of Oilers autographs and photos. Hall’s autograph sits on my CCM Oilers jersey right on the Oil Drop.

When it comes to Hall, there aren’t many Left Wingers I would take over him. He is one of the best of his position and I feel because he’s on a bad team (like Ryan Nugent-Hopkins) he’s a bit underrated. He can produce. He’s not a “lazy” player. However, losing probably has taken it’s toll. This was a guy who went from back to back memorial cup championships to five years in the cellar. While he’s not a bust or wasted talent, it’s a shame that an 80 point season for a player leads to the Oilers finishing third last in the NHL.

I think things will change with a proper management and coaching staff and I’m confident Hall will be one of the guys who benefits from it the most.

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