As the NHL lopes into the All-Star break and players prepare to rest their weary bodies for the grueling second-half ahead, the rumor mill continues to churn out names, places and potential trades.
If the latest reports are accurate, the Edmonton Oilers are inching ever closer to a potential blockbuster deal involving one of either Jordan Eberle and Taylor Hall.
"I do believe that at some point they're going to consider making one of those guys available. And what I believe they're doing is that they're saying to themselves, 'Okay, let's wait and see which draft pick we get.' Because if it's 1 or 2 - or if it's 1 and they're getting Connor McDavid, I think it changes their opinion of where they are. As opposed to say, if they don't get one of the top two picks and they're not getting one of McDavid or Eichel," said Elliotte Friedman on a Wednesday morning episode of Buffalo's WGR 550, according to NicholsOnHockey.com.
"I think that decision will be made when they know where they're drafting. But one of the things I think they're doing right now is kind of looking over their team and saying, 'If we have to deal one of these guys, which one would it be?'"
It's easy to envision Eberle as the one headed out of town as Hall is a year younger, bigger and was a former first-overall draft pick in 2010. He's also got a grittier, more physical edge to his playing style that means he affects the game in more direct ways on a nightly basis.
Eberle though, is no slouch, as a former first-round pick himself. He finished last season two goals shy of 30 for the year and added 37 assists as well.
Hall, somewhat reckless and injury-prone, finished last season three goals shy of 30 and 80 points total.
For the Oilers, it would all come down to compensation and the fact that each player adds a different dynamic to the franchise.
Hall leaving seems farfetched considering his draft status and standing with the fan base, but it's possible that his sometimes out of control playing style and constantly growing injury history could be a serious concern for GM Craig MacTavish.
Plus, the addition of Connor McDavid or Jack Eichel, along with whatever massive haul they receive for Hall, could seriously lessen the blow of his loss.
