2010 NHL Draft: Taylor Hall Vs. Tyler Seguin Tale of the Tape

As we count down to Friday’s NHL Entry Draft taking place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, the debate rages on concerning who the Edmonton Oilers will select with the first pick of the draft.

In what is considered by many experts to be one of the deepest talent pools in years, there are two names that undoubtedly stick out above the rest—Taylor Hall and Tyler Seguin. The two Canadian natives both may be just 18 years of age, but already they are being forecast as future superstars in the National Hockey League.

The expectations are high for a reason as both have the game and skills it takes to become elite players for the Oilers and the Bruins, the two teams who will benefit from their services in a few year’s time.

As anyone who has followed a draft before knows, when you have two supremely gifted and talented young athletes getting ready to enter the pros, that one question almost always seemingly comes along—who will be better?

Let’s take an in depth look at how the two players stack up to one another.

Taylor Hall

Position: Left Wing
Height: 6‘1"
Weight: 185 lbs
Shoots: Left
2009 Team: Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
Age: 18 (November 14, 1991)
Home Country: Canada
NHL Central Scouting Ranking: 2

2009 Statistics

Regular Season
Games: 57
Goals: 40
Assists: 66
Points: 106

Postseason
Games: 19
Goals: 17
Assists: 18
Points: 35

Background: After an impressive showing during his time in the OMDHA Midget League, Hall was selected by the Windsor Spitfires with the second selection of the 2007 OHL Priority Selection Draft.

He quickly reached phenom status and was soon dubbed with “the next big thing” tag after playing an integral part in Windsor’s run to a Memorial Cup Championship in 2009.

Hall helped Windsor repeat the feat in 2010 and won his second consecutive Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy as the tournament’s MVP. He tried out and qualified for the Canadian Team in the 2010 World Junior Championships. He finished third overall in scoring during the tournament and was a main factor in Canada’s run to the championship.

Scouting Report: Hall has done everything to live up to his billing as the draft’s overall top player. Yes, he played on a talent-laden Windsor team, but there’s no denying that Hall was consistently great when counted on.

He has shown that he has the potential to be a superstar in the NHL and he has the offensive game to be one of the top goal scorers in the league on a yearly basis. He is a game breaker who relishes and thrives off the spotlight.

Biggest Strength: Proven greatness on the big stage.

Biggest Weakness: Has shown a tendency to be selfish at times.

Tyler Seguin

Position: Center
Height: 6‘1"
Weight: 175 lbs
Shoots: Right
2009 Team: Plymouth Whalers (OHL)
Age: 18 (January 31, 1992)
Home Country: Canada
NHL Central Scouting Ranking: 1

2009 Statistics

Regular Season
Games: 63
Goals: 48
Assists: 58
Points: 106

Postseason
Games: 9
Goals: 5
Assists: 5
Points: 10

Background: Tyler is the son of former Vermont defenseman Paul Seguin, but unlike his father, the younger Seguin opted to forego playing college hockey in order to test himself in the much more competitive Ontario Hockey League.

After being selected ninth overall by Plymouth in the 2008 OHL Priority Selection Draft, the young forward quickly became one of the hottest names in the league with his goal-scoring prowess and overall ability.

For his efforts in the '09-'10 season, Seguin took home a share of the Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy, which is awarded annually to the top scorer in the league. He tried out for the 2010 World Junior Championship Canadian Team, but after competing with a deep group of centers, he ultimately didn’t make the final cut.

Scouting Report: Seguin is looked at as not only a terrific goal scorer, but also as the type of player who has the ability to make everyone around him better. He’s a true competitor who can score, pass, and skate at a top notch level.

There’s no doubting his offensive firepower, but the naysayers point to Seguin’s lack of defensive awareness as a potential road block to greatness.

Biggest Strength: An elite playmaker

Biggest Weakness: Lack of skill on the defensive end

Who should the Edmonton Oilers select?

Oilers GM Steve Tambellini has the unenviable task of trying to break down and decide between these two young hot shots who both look like they have franchise-saving type potential.

If you looked at past drafts and odds of success, it could very well be the case that only one of the two will become great, and if it did pan out that way then it puts all the more pressure on Tamebellini to make the right decision. If he guesses right, he’s a genius, but if he guesses wrong, he’ll be the goat.

Who will he choose and who should he choose are two tough questions to answer, but I can definitively say that If I were to step in to Tambellini’s shoes on draft night, you would hear Tyler Seguin’s name being called with the selection.

You can point to all the trophies and MVPs Taylor Hall has won in his young career, but when it comes down to it, I think Seguin has more potential to lift not only himself to greatness, but his team as well. He’s a game changer at the game’s most important position.

Yes, the Oilers did draft Jordan Eberle in the first round back in 2008, but they can’t let that stand in the way if they feel Seguin is the better prospect.

We’ll find out in a few days who the Oilers and Tambellini will select, but it will take at least a few years to know if the decision was in fact the right one.