NHL: Penguins, Bruins eyed by Oilers as two ideal trading partners this summer for Taylor Hall?

BRUINS, PENGUINS TO BATTLE FOR TAYLOR HALL?

Penguins GM Jim Rutherford has been dipping his toes into many trade scenario’s and most team officials contend an opportunity to land big fish, hence, a star next to Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin will likely have to wait until the off-season.

In the wake of the Oilers expected to shop star winger Taylor Hall as they look to change the culture of their organization, the rumblings are already out there of the Penguins intending to be a prominent player in the Hall sweepstakes.

NHL Insider Pierre LeBrun reported on TSN’s Insider Trading tonight that the Penguins and Bruins are two teams that “would have considerable interest” in the Oilers star forward.

There is also word spreading though out the league among contacts that the Oilers intend to target the Penguins and Bruins in trade talks and have a shortlist of trade targets with both teams already established.

However, the sense around the league is the Oilers are married to the idea that getting an adequate return for Hall, a trade that could land them four three to four significant pieces in need areas, will only be possible in the summer on the draft floor.

When it comes to the Bruins, Milan Lucic, Malcom Subban are two names circulating, while in Pittsburgh, Edmonton is very high on Brandon Sutter, Oskar Sundqvist, Olli Maatta and top goaltending prospect Tristan Jarry, NHL sources say.

The Oilers will covet a significant haul for Hall, notably, a two-way centerman or rugged top-6 winger in the Lucic mold, a stud young defenseman and an up and coming young goaltender who is close to being NHL ready. Subban fits the bill there, Jarry is still a few years away.

Another team high on the Oilers wishlist is the Columbus Blue Jackets as the two teams talked about a blockbuster last month that would have included David Perron and Taylor Hall to Columbus with Ryan Johansen and Artem Anisimov going to Edmonton. Columbus balked at moving Johansen.

Hall, 23, is signed through the 2019-2020 season and carries a $6 million hit.