Taylor Hall looks forward to having the same coach for a 2nd season

In his four-year NHL career, Edmonton Oilers forward Taylor Hall has worked with three different head coaches - Tom Renney, Ralph Krueger, and Dallas Eakins. Going into his fifth season in the NHL this fall, Hall will play for a returning bench boss for only the second time.

It's something the Oilers forward is clearly, and understandably, looking forward to.

"That’s a really nice way to go into a year," Hall said of Eakins returning after a rough rookie year behind the bench, in an interview with the Edmonton Sun. "There is no awkward handshake at the start of the season (with new coach), it’s a business-like attitude now. I think Dallas feels really comfortable that way and I think all of us players over the course of 82 games got to know what Dallas expects from us and now we can hit ground running at camp."

Hall is also raring to go after spending the entire offseason healthy, for the first time in recent memory.

"Seemed like every summer I either had surgery or World Championships or an ankle to heal," Hall said. "So this summer was good for me in that regard. I got some good training in, I got on the ice a little bit earlier than I usually do, and hopefully, that helps out. I’m feeling good, I’m feeling healthy, I’m ready to go and I can’t wait for camp to start."

If the 22-year-old - already one of the most dynamic even-strength point producers in the league - can capitalize on the new-found stability in Edmonton, plus a full summer of training, that's a scary thought for the Oilers' opponents. 

[H/T Kukla's Korner]