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3 reasons why the Edmonton Oilers lost the Taylor Hall trade

By Dave Stevenson

Jan 21, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Edmonton Oilers left wing Taylor Hall (4) chases the puck during the first period against the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Edmonton Oilers left wing Taylor Hall (4) chases the puck during the first period against the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Oilers are gambling

Part of the reason why the Oilers traded Taylor Hall was because they were able to draft Jesse Puljujarvi with the fourth overall pick of the 2016 NHL Draft. That was likely the move that really allowed the Oilers to start exploring trading Hall. Still, the Oilers are gambling with Puljujarvi and the odds probably aren’t in their favor.

What are the chances that Puljujarvi becomes what Hall is? Slim to none. He is a darn skilled forward and should be a dynamic wing in the NHL. Absolutely no question about that. However, Hall is an elite forward. Puljujarvi sure has the potential to be one, but he is far from a sure thing. Gambling on him replacing Taylor Hall is silly and unnecessary.

Even if Puljujarvi does replace Hall … so what? Why couldn’t Hall and Puljujarvi co-exist? There is no rule that dictates that teams are only allowed to have a certain number of excellent players. Excellent players in the NHL are to be kept and teams should keep exploring ways to get more excellent players, not get rid of them.

Edmonton lost this trade horribly, and it could wind up being known as the Oilers’ version of the Patrick Roy to the Colorado Avalanche trade.

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