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Report: Oilers “close” to extension with Hall, negotiating with Eberle

Chicago Blackhawks  v Edmonton Oilers

EDMONTON, CANADA - NOVEMBER 19: Taylor Hall #4 of the Edmonton Oilers is all smiles with teammate Jordan Eberle #14 following their win against the Chicago Blackhawks on November 19, 2011 at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Dale MacMillan/Getty Images)

Dale MacMillan

Jonathan Willis passes along Ryan Rishaug’s reports that the Edmonton Oilers are close to signing Taylor Hall to a long-term deal and are attempting to hammer out a “similar” one with Jordan Eberle.

Rishaug says that while Hall is “very close” to completing an extension, Eberle’s talks are merely “ongoing.”

Rishaug believes that the two contracts could end up being similar, even if the parties aren’t negotiating together and employ different agents.

Willis explains why Eberle might have more negotiating power, even if he isn’t on the team’s growing list of first overall draft picks.

While the debate continues as to whether Hall or Eberle is going to be the superior player over the long haul, Eberle likely has the most leverage at this point. A breakthrough 2010-11 campaign saw him score 34 times and record a total of 76 points; he was the fourth-leading scorer in the Western Conference.

The Oilers haven’t benefited from those high-end picks in the standings yet, but they’ll need to pay up soon all the same.

Eberle and Hall’s deals expire after next season, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will need a new contract in 2014 and Nail Yakupov’s entry-level contract will be done in 2015.