from Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal,
Now healthy as he can be, Hall can’t score. He has 11 goals and 29 points in 40 games, well off his normal pace.
Hall scored two goals against the Dallas Stars on Dec. 21, and got one against the Chicago Blackhawks on Jan. 9, but that’s it in the last 24 games. He’s managed 13 assists, but no goal celebrations.
His name has come up in trade talk, which was sacrilege until now, although any player can get moved, no matter where they were picked in the draft. Tyler Seguin, who was the second pick behind Hall in 2010, was moved from the Boston Bruins after winning a Stanley Cup, albeit maybe more for how he was away from the rink than on the ice.
The Oilers aren’t shopping Hall, but general manager Craig MacTavish’s phone has likely rung, with Hall in Year 2 of a seven-year, $42-million contract.
“I’m sure teams are asking, but I’m happy here and need to get my own game untracked before worrying about that stuff,” Hall said.
“It’s a change. In year’s past, I’ve always been mentioned as a guy who won’t be traded, but now you see your name creeping up in rumours.
“My friends and family ask me about it. I tell them, ‘You really think I want to talk about being traded?’ ” he said with a laugh. “My only control over being traded is how I play. Ultimately, if I ever asked for a trade, that would be my responsibility. But I don’t want to leave, especially the way I’m playing now.”
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