[Rumour] Dreger: Hall is the face of the Oiler's culture problem. I expect him to be shopped

[White Out 403]

Hall for Kane!

[Bend it like Bourgeois]

So if the oilers trade a core player like hall is it for more picks and prospects in the house of perpetual tanking, or do they finally start looking at established NHL players?

The list of decent NHL centres in or near their prime that you could get for hall might be pretty short.

[cannon7]

As long as the Oilers' management remains intact there is no hope for that franchise.

[#-3]

Originally Posted by SeeGeeWhy

Can a trait like ... Low intelligence... Impact an individual's adaptability?

In a game like Hockey you have to process and react to random events at a high speed Intelligence is adaptability.

In Football where each guy might have 14 specific routes and only 3 or 4 specific tasks he has to preform in a given night, he gets to stop between each one and be told which one to do next. You can be trained to adapt to different situations.

But in hockey you could be put out there as an offensive zone LW and seconds later be covering the front your net for an out of position goalie or dman. You just can't be trained to adapt to that if you can't think it.

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by Bend it like Bourgeois

So if the oilers trade a core player like hall is it for more picks and prospects in the house of perpetual tanking, or do they finally start looking at established NHL players?

The list of decent NHL centres in or near their prime that you could get for hall might be pretty short.

My guess is anything but wingers.

Centre, defense and Goalie and/or prospects of those.

But with Edmonton, any guesses what position they'll probably end up taking back?

[Senator Clay Davis]

If they're smart, they'll keep him till the draft because he's so awful defensively he's worth a few extra losses towards to the McDavid/Eichel jackpot. Still very poor depth for the Oil but getting rid of Hall and maybe someone else will make them better the old addition by subtraction way.

[codynw]

Originally Posted by PaperBagger'14

Just a tidbit:

Name Team Position GP G A PTS +/-
Johnny Gaudreau CGY L 31 6 17 23 +8
Curtis Glencross CGY L 32 5 15 20 +7
Blake Comeau PIT L 28 10 8 18 +7
Taylor Hall EDM L 25 8 10 18 -6

To be fair, Blake Comeau has spent large parts of this season playing with either Crosby or Malkin. Still pretty funny tho.

[Badgers Nose]

Originally Posted by Bend it like Bourgeois

So if the oilers trade a core player like hall is it for more picks and prospects in the house of perpetual tanking, or do they finally start looking at established NHL players?

The list of decent NHL centres in or near their prime that you could get for hall might be pretty short.

Even if one turns up, they also need 2-3 defensemen and a real goalie.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by codynw

To be fair, Blake Comeau has spent large parts of this season playing with either Crosby or Malkin. Still pretty funny tho.

True, but Hall spent much of his time with two players who are even better (according to the media, circa 2012).

Anyway, what is interesting about this coming from Dreger is the fact that Dreger was acting as a mouthpiece for Oilers management earlier in the day. So the question is, is he just grasping at straws as usual, or is Dreger being fed something?

And if the latter, to what end? Light a fire under Hall, or to get teams calling?

[RyZ]

I don't know if it was ever substantiated or not, but wasn't the rumor from a few years ago that the Oilers asked Poile for Weber in exchange for Eberle?

Hall isn't going anywhere.

[GioforPM]

Hall for Phaneuf straight up. Toronto gets another no defence winger and Edmonton gets another overrated prima donna.

[Flames89]

Originally Posted by T@T

"Dreger said he believes Taylor Hall will be shopped/discussed. Said Hall isn't willing to adapt. Dreger said he's choosing words carefully"

Carefully? sure Dreger...you complete idiot.

Do we really need the direct name calling? I appreciate Dreger's tweets which provide a spark for discussion.

[crapshoot]

Some oilfans seem concerned that Dregers tweets about Hall is a diversion so that Kevin Lowe gets to stay out of the spotlight. Sounds about right considering the general state of that organisation.

[Where ru Chris O'Sullivan]

Can't trade anyone for at least 10 games. They have to some sort of inner confirmation that a new coach (what they hope is a good coach) will finally bring out that massive amount of talent we've been told exists for 3 years now.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

True, but Hall spent much of his time with two players who are even better (according to the media, circa 2012).

Anyway, what is interesting about this coming from Dreger is the fact that Dreger was acting as a mouthpiece for Oilers management earlier in the day. So the question is, is he just grasping at straws as usual, or is Dreger being fed something?

And if the latter, to what end? Light a fire under Hall, or to get teams calling?

It's possible Hall has hinted to Oilers management that he would be fine with being traded and this is the Oilers trying to spin it that they are looking to move him in the manner of "I dumped you first". It was probably a matter of time until one of these players asked to get moved in hopes of salvaging their careers while the are in their prime. If you are RNH, Hall, Eberle you are probably realizing that by the time (if that ever comes) that organization is a real cup contender their best days will be behind them.

[Resolute 14]

If that is the case, then the message they are having Dreger put out is completely horrible as it amounts to "please take my selfish, entitled star off my hands."

Which, really, is something the Oilers would do, so you may well be on to something.

[Burke Salad]

Originally Posted by CalgaryFan1988

OT, Not sure what Bouwmeester has with the discussion, other than irrational hate, but he does have 4 gold medals. A lot more winning than most people in their careers.

Which 4 Gold Medals does he have? Pretty sure he didnt win any at the WJHC level?

[HartAttack]

In Junior, Hall never had to backcheck or play defense. His game was straight lines, running over people and scoring a lot of points.

Not much has changed in his game since he got to the NHL level, he still tries to run through guys (resulting in a few injuries so far), and he still doesn't play defense or backcheck!

IMO this guy has been told he's the 'best hockey player ever' his entire career, and 'the saviour' as one poster put it, and it shows in his commitment to being a real NHL pro.

Dreger is right (for once) - the guy really isn't willing to adapt, and he has some serious growing up to do if he ever wants to be a part of a winning team (in Edmonton or elsewhere).

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Burke Salad

Which 4 Gold Medals does he have? Pretty sure he didnt win any at the WJHC level?

2014 Olympic Gold, two World Championships (and a silver), and two bronze and one silver at the World Juniors. His fourth "gold medal" is the 2004 World Cup of Hockey title.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by Burke Salad

Which 4 Gold Medals does he have? Pretty sure he didnt win any at the WJHC level?

World Championship Gold Medal 02/03 & 03/04
World Cup Gold Medal 03/04
Olympic Gold Medal 13/14