There will always be players in any sport that will be connected by their draft class. In the NFL, it is Alex Smith and Aaron Rodgers. In the NBA it is Dwight Howard and Emeka Okafor. In MLB, it is Joe Mauer and Mark Prior. These players were taken in the first round of their respective drafts. They were either with the first overall pick or later on in the first round. Some of the picks were right and worked out in the long run. But others did not work out and teams are hurting. That brings us to the National Hockey League. In 2010 NHL Entry Draft, Taylor Hall and Tyler Seguin were touted as the best prospects coming out of junior hockey.
That year, the Edmonton Oilers had the first pick in the draft and the Boston Bruins, thanks to a trade with Toronto for Phil Kessel had the second pick in the draft. There was some debate on where Hall and Seguin would go. Ultimately Taylor Hall was chosen first by the Oilers and Tyler Seguin was taken second by the Bruins. Taylor Hall was playing for a more offensive team and he would be the face of the Oilers right away. Hall would experience more struggles his first season than Seguin. Seguin would play in his first NHL season, but he had to adapt to the pace of the game.
Hall’s rookie season was cut short because of an injury he received late in the season. Hall ended the season with 42 points and Seguin with 22 points, a 20 point differential. Hall looked like the true number one pick. However, Hall had to watch Seguin, in his rookie season, lift the Stanley Cup over his head. Hall was asked questions about what might have been if he was with the Bruins. He answered, “I was kind of forced into thinking about that when they won the Cup last year. People ask me about that a lot, and I would not change anything.” If all things were equal and the Bruins still won the Stanley Cup last season, Hall would have a ring and Seguin would not. The Bruins were on a magical run last season as they won the Stanley Cup.
The two met last year and the Bruins pulled out a 3-2 victory. Neither Seguin nor Hall registered a point in their first meeting. Yesterday it was a much different story in Boston. The Bruins prevailed 6-3 and Tyler Seguin registered a goal and an assist. Brad Marchand registered two goals and Tuukka Rask recorded his second straight win. Taylor Hall had only had one assist. The Bruins are starting to get on a role and Tyler Seguin has been the main source of offense. Seguin recorded his first NHL career hat trick against Toronto this past Saturday night. Seguin has continued his hot streak with goals and points.
Both players have adjusted well to their new teams and the coaches are impressed with their play. Over the long haul, Hall may score more goals than Seguin, but Seguin will have more points. Both players are happy with their current scenarios and they would not trade that for anything. Hall has settled nicely into Edmonton and Seguin feels like he is from Boston after the season he went through. Look for both players to continue their strong play in their sophomore season. No sophomore slump for Hall or Seguin.