Edmonton Oilers Rumors: Breaking down the latest in a Taylor Hall trade
Even though Edmonton Oilers general manager Ken Holland has said that he doesn’t foresee any big trades happening before the NHL Trade Deadline, never say never. The Oilers have been doing so well this season, they’re pretty much a lock to make the playoffs but at this point in time, many believe they shouldn’t make any big trades this season and continue with the task at hand.
Regardless, rumors are indeed heating up between the Oilers and the ever-popular left winger of the Buffalo Sabres, Taylor Hall. In an article written by David Staples of the Edmonton Journal, former general manager Doug MacLean was speaking with radio host Reid Wilkins and gave a little tidbit on the latest rumors involving the Oilers potentially trading for Hall:
"“I also heard yesterday they’re in on the guy from Buffalo that everybody wants: Taylor Hall. I’m thinking: How is that going to work. How could Taylor Hall go there on a deal? The guy told me they’re looking at a deal that would have them both done for less than $12 million for both of them (Hall and RNH), and it would work next year…It was a reasonable source that said it.”"
Would it make sense for the Oilers to go this route of trading for Hall? In the grand scheme of things, no. Holland already spoke to the media several times this season and made it clear that with their salary cap situation and unwillingness to part ways with future draft picks, it wouldn’t make sense for the future.
When it comes to Holland, he’s sticking to his old-school approach of continuing to build a championship-worthy team through the draft and proper development of prospects. It just wouldn’t make sense for Holland to trade for Hall and then have to start juggling around what players to keep, let go, and finding the right spot for Hall to thrive in.
As things are now, the Oilers are built for the playoffs but will likely need another year or two before everything falls into place. You know, a few more years of good drafts, smart free agency pickups, and their young prospects developing the right way things to truly take off. You can’t add the few missing pieces needed to a rising hockey team like the Oilers if you’re making big trades and giving away top draft capital which will slow down future progression.
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Hall is a good hockey player but it’s not like the Oilers are in dire need of another left winger when they have more than capable in-house options. It would be best for the Oilers to stay pat, keep their future draft picks, and continue doing what they’re doing this season. For now, all these rumors involving Hall are just that as the NHL Trade Deadline falls on Monday, April 12, 2021.