News From Around The Crease: Hall Signs Entry-Level Deal, 31 Players To Arbitration, Probert Passes Away

 

~ When he was selected first overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, it was fully expect that Taylor Hall would immediately step into the lineup. The organization has yearned for a player with his potential and believe he is prepared to take the next step into the NHL. On Monday, the Oilers officially signed Hall to an entry level contract that calls for him to make $900,000 in base salary and as much as $3.75 million annually with bonuses over the next three years.

Now it's up to Hall to show he can handle the pressure of an entire city riding on his shoulders. The Oilers have longed to get back on the winning track, and he is believed to be the key to that happening. Good luck, kid.

Top Ten Picks Of The 2010 NHL Entry Draft

 

1. Edmonton Oilers: Taylor Hall, LW - Windsor (OHL)
2. Boston Bruins: Tyler Seguin, C - Plymouth (OHL)
3. Florida Panthers: Erik Gudbranson, D - Kingston (OHL)
4. Columbus Blue Jackets: Ryan Johansen, C - Portland (WHL)
5. New York Islanders: Nino Niederreiter, LW - Portland (WHL)
6. Tampa Bay Lightning: Brett Connolly, C - Prince George (WHL)
7. Carolina Hurricanes: Jeff Skinner, C - Kitchener (OHL)
8. Atlanta Thrashers: Alexander Burmistrov, C - Barrie (OHL)
9. Minnesota Wild: Mikael Granlund, LW - HIFK Helsinki (Finland)
10. New York Rangers: Dylan McIlrath, D - Moose Jaw (WHL)

As Expected, Bruins Pick Seguin Second Overall

 

With Taylor Hall taken off the board by the Edmonton Oilers, the obvious choice at No. 2 for the Boston Bruins was Tyler Seguin of the Plymouth Whalers. General Manager Peter Chiarelli made the selection of the center official, and added Seguin to the Bruins family.

There seems to be a logjam at center with the pick of the Seguin, but it was a pick that had to be made. With Hall gone, he was the next clear-cut best on the board. Pierre McGuire suggested that the Bruins could move a center now with Marc Savard, Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci already in the mix. Bob McKenzie chimed in to say Chiarelli was already testing the market, and could possibly move Savard with his $4 million annual cap hit.

We'll see what happens on that front. But for now, the Bruins have a talented young center who is maybe a year away from making the roster but should steadily grow into the top line pivot once he gets there.

With the First Pick In The 2010 NHL Entry Draft, The Edmonton Oilers Select ...

Taylor Hall, Left Wing - Windsor Spitfires

It has been a topic of hot debate for months - Taylor Hall or Tyler Seguin? Well, the Edmonton Oilers, owners of the first overall pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, put the argument to rest. General Manager Steve Tambellini hit the podium and made it official - Taylor Hall is the newest member of the Edmonton Oilers organization.

The debate really surrounded whether it was better to take the best goal scorer, i.e. the best finisher, or the better all-around center. This is the second year in a row in which that has been the hot topic at hand, as the 2009 NHL Entry Draft surrounded the question of John Tavares or Matt Duchene. The New York Islanders took the route of the Oilers that year, selecting the better scorer in Tavares while the Colorado Avalanche landed Calder Memorial Trophy nominee Duchene with the third overall pick.

It is expected that the Boston Bruins, owners of what was the Toronto Maple Leafs second overall selection, will take Seguin next.

News From Around The Crease

~ Cam Neely will be taking over a position vacant for almost four years with the Boston Bruins, Team President. One of the most popular and physical members of the Bruins organization, Neely will now lead aggressively in this executive role. According to TSN, his main focus is to "oversee business and hockey operations with [general manager Peter] Chiarelli continuing to make personnel decisions." Neely has served as team vice president since September 2007 and brings with him 13 years of playing experience in the NHL, all with the Bruins.

~ The Bruins have an idea of which player they wish to select with their No. 2 overall pick at NHL Draft on June 25. But Chiarelli doesn't believe the gap between Taylor Hall and Tyler Seguin is big enough to make a deal swapping picks with the Edmonton Oilers.

"If I decide that the gap between who we have No. 1 and who we have No. 2 is large enough then, potentially, I would consider a move to bridge that gap," Chiarelli said. "Right now, that gap is very small and I can't see it changing."

~ Oilers general manager Steve Tambellini is getting calls for that No. 1 overall selection, according to Darren Dregor of TSN. He's listening to offers, but won't put an exact price on what it will cost teams to acquire it.

~ Both GM Ken Holland and assistant GM Jim Nill were given five-year extensions by the Detroit Red Wings.

"Kenny and Jim have been the core of our front office for well over a decade and cornerstone to this franchises success," said team owner Mike Ilitch.

This is an asbolute no-brainer for the Red Wings, who have become perhaps the most successful franchise in the NHL under Holland's watch. The team has never missed with the playoffs with him as general manager and went on to win the Stanley Cup three times in 1998, 2000 and 2008. They also won in 1997 when he was an assistant. When Holland moved up to general manager, Nill took over as assistant GM and has remained in the position for the past 13 years.

~ Outside of inking his own extension on Wednesday, Holland took the time to get Todd Bertuzzi's name on the dotted line and re-signed him to a two-year, $3.875 million contract. At 35 years old, Bertuzzi still brings something to the table on the ice as a decent offensive producer, physical presence and veteran leader. Last year with the Red Wings, Bertuzzi netted 18 goals and 44 points during the regular season, adding 11 points in 12 postseason games. If he can continue the approximately 40-point a season pace he's posted over the last three years, this will go down as another terrific signing for Holland at about $1.937 million per season.