Edmonton Oilers 2015-16 Report Card Thus Far

Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Taylor Hall, A

A rather pleasant surprise this season, Taylor Hall is developing and maturing a lot under McLellan’s leadership. The 24-year-old is currently on NHL leaderboards; he is eighth for goals with 15, ninth for assists with 21 and fourth for points with 36. He has racked up six points in his last five games, including a four-point performance over the New York Rangers.

He broke a six-game scoreless drought on Dec. 4, and since then, he has exploded even moreso offensively than he has before. What is impressive about Hall this season, however, is his plus-11 rating. This is the first time since 2012-13 that Hall’s plus-minus is in the positive, and that season, it was only a plus-5. The Calgary, Alberta native is also on pace for a career-high 86 points this season.

Hall is not only proving to be an asset offensively, but he is becoming a leader. A mentor to Connor McDavid when he wasn’t injured, Hall has been leading this team that is blindly playing in the NHL without a captain, but four alternates. He is proving his case that he should be able to wear the “C” for the Oilers, and rightfully so. He even gave McLellan the puck from a powerful win, and he is speaking and acting like a leader. With more maturity this season, but need for more leadership, Hall is definitely worthy of an A this year.