LOS ANGELES — The Oilers selected forward Taylor Hall with the No. 1 pick in the NHL draft Friday, ending a yearlong debate about the two best 18-year-old prospects in hockey.
The league-worst Oilers chose Hall over fellow OHL forward Tyler Seguin.
“They’re such a great franchise with so much history behind them,” Hall said. “With the five (Stanley) Cups they won, it will mean a lot to me to join their organization and hopefully bring another one up there.”
While Hall will go to a rebuilding club, the playoff-tested Bruins eagerly grabbed Seguin moments later with the No. 2 pick.
Many NHL scouts and executives couldn’t choose a favorite between Hall, a physical left wing from the Windsor Spitfires, and Seguin, a smooth-skating center from the Plymouth Whalers. Seguin was the league MVP last season, and Hall was the playoff MVP while leading the Spitfires to the Memorial Cup.
“I think everyone has their own opinion,” Seguin said. “We’ve seen it all year with whatever scouting service there may be.”
Hall is the fourth straight OHL player chosen No. 1, following Patrick Kane, Steven Stamkos, and John Tavares. Those three picks are working out quite well — and Hall said he believes he can join the Oilers’ young core to return some respectability.
“I feel honored with all the players that have gone No. 1,” Hall said. “When I came into this year, that was one of my goals, was to go No. 1. In saying that, there’s still a lot of work to do out here.”
The Kings made the first trade of the draft, moving up four spots to No. 15 to grab U.S. national team defenseman Derek Forbort, who’s headed to North Dakota this fall.
The Panthers traded defenseman Keith Ballard to Vancouver in a four-player deal that included the Canucks’ first-round pick.
New Florida general manager Dale Tallon sent Ballard and forward Victor Oreskovich to the Canucks for forward Steve Bernier, Michael Grabner and the 25th overall pick. Florida used the pick to select Moose Jaw center Quinton Howden. Ballard scored 28 points last season for the Panthers, but is under contract for the next five years at $21 million.
Only the first round was scheduled for Friday; the final six rounds are today.
