Hall out 2-4 weeks.

The Oilers announced that Taylor Hall will be out two-four weeks with an MCL sprain to his left knee.

It was a freak injury. Hall went hard to the net and crashed into the goal post. It sucks he is injured, but he plays on the edge, and that is what makes him successful. He has altered his game over the years, but I don’t think you can ask him to not play at top speed. I have no issue with how he plays.

With Hall out, the Oilers will need Nail Yakupov and David Perron to fill the void. It won’t be easy.

Perron scored his first goal of the season last night, while Yakupov played a season-high, 20:25.

Fans have been clamouring for more icetime for the 2012 first overall pick, and they got their wish. We’ll see how he produces.

Filling Hall’s skates won’t be an easy task. He’s been one of the most productive players in the NHL the past two seasons, and as the Oilers head out on a five-game road trip this was not the news they were hoping for.

On the positive side, I guess it could have been much worse. An MCL sprain is much better better than an ACL injury, but the Oilers depth chart will take a hit.

With Yakupov moving up, I’d guess we might see Jesse Joensuu moved into the top-nine as well, and Wil Acton or an AHL call up will slide in on the fourth line.

The Oilers can’t wilt without their best player. If this team wants to improve, they need to show the NHL that they can survive without their best player for a few weeks.

It can’t just be Yakupov and Perron who have to play well if the Oilers expect to win, but I believe those two wingers must elevate their play to fill the void with Hall on the sidelines.

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