Jumping In Our Draft Time Machine

Jesse Marshall | NHL Entry Draft

Jul 11, 02:25 PM | Hype this story!

Speed kills in the sport of hockey. Taylor Hall has it.

Before we jump head first into the big debate of John Tavares and Victor Hedman in 2009, let’s skip ahead to a sure thing.

Taylor Hall will have my number one ranking come 2010.

Sure, I’m being a bit cocky by proclaiming it this early. But the finesse and speed is undeniable. This Windsor left-winger has all the tools for success.

When you watch Taylor Hall, you have to pay close attention. If you blink, you might miss him.

A lot of offensively gifted players are blessed with speed. However, it’s when those players can combine the facet of their speed and the ability to make plays in full flight that they jump ahead of the rest of the world.

That’s what Taylor Hall is capable of; stickhandling in a phone booth while in full stride.

This year, Hall dazzled with the Windsor Spitifires of the OHL. His performance, 84 points (45+39) in 63 games earned him the honor of OHL rookie of the year. His impressive +40 in those 63 games are a testament to what he brings to the ice.

This year, the OHL will have all eyes on phenom John Tavares as he attempts to solidify his place as the number one pick this year and hockey’s potential next “next one”.

But don’t forget about Taylor Hall. Windsor is a talented hockey team, so Hall could arrive on the scene next year and break a few records of his own.

If you peruse the internet and read what fans have to say about Hall, the resounding comparison is to Pavel Bure. It’s not that far-fetched, either. Bure’s speed was deadly and Hall has developed his game right down that alley.

It’s a rare combination that doesn’t come along every year.

So, when the conversation switches to the NHL entry draft, all eyes will be on the OHL, at least for the next two years.

Tavares now – Taylor Hall later.

Comments

  1. Ashley Gallant

    Jul 11, 02:59 PM

    Hall is one guy who should get some attention from Team Canada this fall before the WJC.

    One 2010 draft pick that I will have my eye on this year is defenceman Brandon Gormley from Murray River, PEI. He was selected first overall by the Moncton Wildcats in the QMJHL draft this year, and some people are saying that he’s (potentially) the best d-man to come out of the Maritimes since Al MacInnis.

  2. Jesse Marshall

    Jul 11, 03:50 PM

    Ashley,

    Hall will certainly have a place on Team Canada this year. I know you’ll have a close eye on Gormley as well. Keep us updated.

  3. Chris

    Jul 11, 06:51 PM

    Sports Illustrated did a Where are they now?/Where will they be? feature in their latest edition. Taylor Hall was the featured player for hockey.

  4. Miller

    Jul 13, 06:45 PM

    With the first pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, the Atlanta Thrashers select…John Tavares.

    With the first pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, the Atlanta Thrashers select…Taylor Hall.

Commenting is closed for this article.