Oilers ink No. 1 pick

Associated Press

EDMONTON, Alberta

The Edmonton Oilers signed top overall draft pick Taylor Hall to a three-year, entry-level contract.

Hall’s deal includes the maximum base salary of $900,000 per season and bonuses that max out at $3.75 million annually.

“Now, it’s time to work,” Hall said. “All the excitement is over. I’m excited to get started tomorrow. I know this signing is only the first step. I’ve got a lot of work to do in that camp.”

When the four-day development camp opens, Hall will be lacing his skates alongside 2009 first-rounder Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson, taken 10th overall, and 2008 first-rounder Jordan Eberle, selected 22nd.

“It’s so comfortable and so exciting,” Oilers general manager Steve Tambellini said. “It was important, I think, the quicker we could take care of business and get the distractions away from him.”