Oiler fans everywhere can finally breathe a collective sigh of relief - Taylor Hall is off the schnide. After picking up his first NHL goal in Thursday's 3-2 shootout loss at Columbus, Hall continued his stellar play on Friday when his 2nd goal and and 2nd assist of the week propelled the Oilers to a 7-4 upset of defending Cup-champion Chicago.
As is the case with many snake-bitten snipers, Hall's first goal, potted just 24 hours ahead of his game-changing performance against the Blackhawks, seemed to ease his personal tensions and allowed fans to catch a glimpse of what they've been waiting for. Always known as a player unafraid to get his hands dirty, Hall's initial tally was just that - a fine screen set in front of Blue Jacket netminder Steve Mason followed up with a finesse tip by his velvet-soft hands. And while the odds are that we'll see a ton of these throughout the youngster's budding career, here's a video you might want to archive. Just to say you saw the 1st one...
Friday night in Chicago, Hall came back for more. In his impressive encore performance, he picked up his 2nd goal and 2nd assist in as many nights, earning himself the 1st Star of the Game and the Oilers a well-deserved win.
Coach Tom Renney seems to have finally found a home for his star winger alongside fellow youngsters Sam Gagner and Jordan Eberle, but it sounds as if this has been his plan all along.
Following the win at Chicago, he said "The bottom line is that my job is to play (the kids), give them opportunities and put them in situations that stretch them a little bit and forces them to reach. So far, they're doing that."
Hall and the Oilers' will be put to the test this week as Western Conference powerhouses Vancouver and Detroit visit Rexall Place and the club makes a return trip to Chicago for a Sunday matinee. Check back in late next week to see the results.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Change In Linemates Has Hall Seeing Stars
If you're just looking at the Oilers' box scores these days, you're probably smarter than I am. With two more home losses this week (4-2 vs. Minnesota and a 6-1 drubbing by San Jose), that makes 4 in a row and an NHL-worst record of 2-4 - tough stuff on the eyes. However, the numbers don't tell the whole story when it comes to evaluating the play of certain individuals - namely, that of Taylor Hall.
After being dropped to the 3rd unit by head coach Tom Renney to free him from the pressures of the opposition's top 4 defensemen (and the expectations of a rabid, impatient fan base), Hall has flourished with new linemates Andrew Cogliano and Gilbert Brule, even earning the 2nd Star of the Game honors for his efforts against Minnesota on Thursday night. Despite the goose egg in the goal column, Taylor has been a pest on the forecheck and a force in his own end, often the two biggest holes in a rookie's game.
Said Coach Renney of his phenom after the Minnesota game, "He has proven to me from the get-go that he belongs in the National Hockey League. He just made another case for himself tonight."
Words like these from a guy like Renney should ease the concerns of Oiler fans everywhere (as much as GM speak possibly can). So step back from the ledge, folks - as long as Hall is playing his game and blocking out the naysayers, the goals will come. And then, hopefully, so will the wins...
The Oilers hit the road this week as they visit rival Calgary on Tuesday, Columbus on Wednesday and defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago on Friday. In the meantime, chew on this piece from Joe Haggerty of Comcast Sports Net New England, who works the beat for the Boston Bruins and their stud prospect Tyler Seguin. It discusses Seguin's perspective on Hall's early season pressures, given that he was chosen immediately after Hall in the 2010 draft and was thought by many to be the better overall player:
http://www.necn.com/10/21/10/Seguin-sympathizes-with-Hall-adjustment-/landing_sports.html?blockID=336039&feedID=3352
After being dropped to the 3rd unit by head coach Tom Renney to free him from the pressures of the opposition's top 4 defensemen (and the expectations of a rabid, impatient fan base), Hall has flourished with new linemates Andrew Cogliano and Gilbert Brule, even earning the 2nd Star of the Game honors for his efforts against Minnesota on Thursday night. Despite the goose egg in the goal column, Taylor has been a pest on the forecheck and a force in his own end, often the two biggest holes in a rookie's game.
Said Coach Renney of his phenom after the Minnesota game, "He has proven to me from the get-go that he belongs in the National Hockey League. He just made another case for himself tonight."
Words like these from a guy like Renney should ease the concerns of Oiler fans everywhere (as much as GM speak possibly can). So step back from the ledge, folks - as long as Hall is playing his game and blocking out the naysayers, the goals will come. And then, hopefully, so will the wins...
The Oilers hit the road this week as they visit rival Calgary on Tuesday, Columbus on Wednesday and defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago on Friday. In the meantime, chew on this piece from Joe Haggerty of Comcast Sports Net New England, who works the beat for the Boston Bruins and their stud prospect Tyler Seguin. It discusses Seguin's perspective on Hall's early season pressures, given that he was chosen immediately after Hall in the 2010 draft and was thought by many to be the better overall player:
http://www.necn.com/10/21/10/Seguin-sympathizes-with-Hall-adjustment-/landing_sports.html?blockID=336039&feedID=3352
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Hall held in check as Oilers drop to 2-2
Taylor Hall's early struggles continued last night as he was held pointless in a 5-3 Oiler loss at the hands of the Calgary Flames. As is typical with most rookies, Hall has looked lost in his own end at times - he was on the ice for 3 Flames goals last night alone - but should improve his awareness as the season progresses. It's not called a learning curve for nothing....
Here's one of the few Oiler highlights from the game, a Dustin Penner goal that trickled across the line after a ricochet off defenseman Ian White's face:
The Hall Monitor will be back on the clock this week as the Oilers are scheduled for 2 home games - Thursday vs. the Minnesota Wild (7:30 pm puck drop) and Saturday against the perennial Western Conference powerhouse San Jose Sharks (8 pm start time). Both games will be played at Rexall Place in Edmonton.
Here's one of the few Oiler highlights from the game, a Dustin Penner goal that trickled across the line after a ricochet off defenseman Ian White's face:
The Hall Monitor will be back on the clock this week as the Oilers are scheduled for 2 home games - Thursday vs. the Minnesota Wild (7:30 pm puck drop) and Saturday against the perennial Western Conference powerhouse San Jose Sharks (8 pm start time). Both games will be played at Rexall Place in Edmonton.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Welcome aboard!
Greetings, everyone (all 4 of you) and welcome to The Hall Monitor, your home for all things Taylor Hall as he begins his inaugural NHL campaign with the Edmonton Oilers!
Despite Taylor's slow start (one assist through three games played), expectains remain high for the 18 year-old left winger considered by many to be the future of the Oiler organization, a Calder Trophy favorite and a perennial 50 goal scorer in the making. His elite speed, lightning-quick release and pinpoint accuracy make Hall every opponent's nightmare. Fearless attacks of the net and a motor that never quits make him every coach's dream.
That's Taylor in a nutshell and more importantly, that's enough out of me. I'll be back with updates after Saturday night's game in Calgary where he and the Oil will take on the Flames. In the meantime, I'll give you a little taste of the treat we're all in for with this kid:
Despite Taylor's slow start (one assist through three games played), expectains remain high for the 18 year-old left winger considered by many to be the future of the Oiler organization, a Calder Trophy favorite and a perennial 50 goal scorer in the making. His elite speed, lightning-quick release and pinpoint accuracy make Hall every opponent's nightmare. Fearless attacks of the net and a motor that never quits make him every coach's dream.
That's Taylor in a nutshell and more importantly, that's enough out of me. I'll be back with updates after Saturday night's game in Calgary where he and the Oil will take on the Flames. In the meantime, I'll give you a little taste of the treat we're all in for with this kid:
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