Taylor Hall making progress in NHL 11 Be a Pro mode

Hall has to work up the ranks — even if he is on
the cover.

Blair Charboneau, Hockey Net

EDMONTON — Oilers GM Tambellini has assigned struggling rookie Taylor Hall to work his way through the EA Sports NHL 11 Be a Pro mode. The Oilers are hoping EA’s popular hockey simulation game can further the development of their 18-year-old prospect.

“We’re going to monitor his Memorial Cup and AHL progress. Eventually, we hope Hall can put up good virtual numbers at the “All-star” setting and play his way onto a top-six role with us, explained Oilers coach Tom Renney.”

Although Oilers Fans' expectations might be somewhat unrealistic for the 2010 first-rounder, Hall has only one assist in seven games so far and has since seen his ice-time diminish and is doing his best to deal with NHL 11 setbacks.

“Well I had to restart a few times because the Oilers kept passing me over on draft day, and that prick Taylor Chorney stole my number. Then the OKC Barons wouldn’t put me on the powerplay so I asked for a trade, but things are getting better,” said Hall.

The Oilers remain confident Hall will steadily move up the NHL 11 ranks and into a larger role with the club.

“We’ve asked Taylor to be patient, stick with the game, and stop trying to fight people after the whistle,” commented Oilers assistant coach Kelly Buchberger.

Hall is working hard to show his commitment to the team, and is already starting to see some results.

“Actually, I just got called up to the NHL. I’m only rated 75 overall and playing nine minutes on the fourth line, but my positional score is strong, said Hall, adding,

The Oilers must be content to see Hall grinding it out, taking nothing for granted, and Hall will likely see more playing time soon enough once Hemsky gets injured.

Exclusive: Sens Discipline Neil Following Incidents of Locker Room Bullying (UPDATED)

#25 doing what he does best.

Hockey Net Exclusive

OTTAWA — Senators GM Bryan Murray summoned Chris Neil to his office this morning, addressing concerns that bullying in the Sens’ locker room has become a serious issue. Since the season opener on October 8th, Cory Clouston has received several troubling calls from the parents of younger players on the roster, including rookie Zack Smith's mother.

Coach Clouston has reportedly reprimanded the team's enforcer, revoking his zamboni-riding privileges and grounding Neil to his hotel room on road trips.

The bullying reportedly began with the throwing of hockey tape, but quickly escalated to wedgies and noogies. Erik Karlsson came forward as another victim of Neil's merciless torment, citing an incident on Saturday as the reason for breaking his silence. He had witnessed Neil giving Smith a "swirly" during the second intermission of Saturday's game against the Habs.

"An enforcer is supposed to look out for the guys on his team, not victimize them," Karlsson bravely asserted during an interview following Monday’s game against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Mike Fisher reportedly advised the young guns to "turn the other cheek," but Smith's mother countered that the boys needed to stand up for themselves or else Neil would "never learn."

When captain Daniel Alfredsson caught wind of the allegations he issued a simple statement,

 Alfie tells Hockey Net he had a chat with Neil, and has been assured that the bad behaviour will not continue. He added that no one should have to face a bully alone, "Zack Smith did the right thing by telling his mom. I urge anyone out there who is dealing with a bully to tell a trusted adult."

Chris Neil was asked to apologize publicly, and complied, whining "sooorry!"

While the sincerity of Neil's statement is not evident, Clouston has sent a letter home to players' parents, assuring them that Neil's behaviour is being monitored, and that their boys are being looked after.

UPDATE: Zack Smith has been sent back to the Binghamton Senators, replaced by David Hale. [Oct. 20/10]

Stars’ Brunnstrom Conquers NHL, Sets Sights On AHL

Brunnstrom holds all the proof he'll ever need.

Blair Charbonneau, Hockey Net

DALLAS — Dallas Stars forward Fabian Brunnstrom announced Sunday he is abandoning the NHL to pursue his dream of skating a full season with the Texas Stars, Dallas’ AHL affiliate.

As a highly touted swedish prospect, Brunnstrom exploded onto the NHL scene in 2008 and joined an elite group by recording a hat-trick in his first game. Two years and 40 points later, Brunnstrom is leaving with no regrets and nothing left to prove.

“Towards the end I was just going through the motions. I wondered ‘what am I still doing here? What else can I accomplish?’ It’s time for a new challenge,” said Brunnstrom, adding “Now I know how Scott Niedermayer must have felt.”

Though the twenty five-year-old is leaving the Stars with a void at left wing, GM Joe Nieuwendyk wishes him the best of luck. “Fabian’s moving on to bigger and better things,” commented Nieuwendyk.

Growing up playing minor hockey in Jonstorp, Sweden, Brunnstrom’s aspirations of AHL prominence must have seemed like a pipe dream — until now. Brunnstrom expressed his excitement to finally play for the team he’s idolized since its 2009 inauguration.

Brunnstrom will only have to wait until Friday, when the Stars host the Lake Erie Monsters.