With the way this season is progressing for the Minnesota Wild, we're often wondering to what we can look forward. Well, ladies and gentlemen, his name is Taylor Hall.
He can skate, pass, shoot, score. He's not a prototypical power forward, at 6' 1", 185, but he has the toughness to score around the net.
Oh, and how's his defense?
"This summer I've been working on getting a bit bigger and a bit stronger so hopefully I can push some guys around next year," he grinned. "I want to be a really good defensive player; not only be around for my offensive abilities, but be relied on defensively and just be a player the coach can rely on in the last minute of the game. You can score as many goals as you want, but if you're a liability in the defensive zone you're no use to the team." - Hockey's Future
Hall was listed at the top of the CSB's initial report, not unexpected, since people have been fawning over him for years.
At the top of any list of top prospects for next June's draft has to be Windsor Spitfires center Taylor Hall. In 63 games last season, Hall had 38 goals and 90 points, ranking in the top 10 in the Ontario Hockey League in both categories. He then led the OHL in the playoffs with 16 goals and 36 points in 20 games, and finished his season with 8 points in six games as Windsor won the Memorial Cup. He was named the tournament MVP.
"He's a brilliant skater, fast skater, a scorer -- he does it all," Central Scouting Director E.J. McGuire told NHL.com.
"This guy is a high-end prospect, there's no two ways about it," added Central Scouting's Chris Edwards. "Puck skills, skating -- there's really nothing you don't like about the guy." - NHL.com
Hall was the only 2010 draft-eligible player to be invited to the Canada junior development camp in August.
Here's a great interview from that camp
On the pressure from being the apparent #1 pick,
"I don't think you can prepare for it. I saw how John handled himself," Hall said. "You've just got to take it as it comes and try and 'tribute to your team offensively. I think if I do whatever I can on and off the ice, I'll go as high as I can."
Let's hope, if the Wild end up with that #1 pick, he ends up as a great consolation to a miserable season.