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Taylor Hall’s off the IR

Edmonton Oilers v Phoenix Coyotes

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 15: Taylor Hall #4 of the Edmonton Oilers awaits a face off against the Phoenix Coyotes during the NHL game at Jobing.com Arena on December 15, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. The Coyotes defeated the Oilers 4-2. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

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Taylor Hall is finally officially locked out.

The Edmonton Oilers winger announced via Twitter that he was handed his “divorce papers,” meaning he’s off the injured reserve and free to play for the AHL’s Oklahoma City Barons.

Hall needed shoulder surgery after suffering an injury on March 17, forcing him to undergo a lengthy rehab process. Both of his NHL seasons have been cut short by injury so far.

While it’s tantalizing to imagine what kind of havoc Hall, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Jordan Eberle & Co. can create against AHL competition, CBC Sports’ Doug Harrison notes that the Barons will take a measured approach with 2010’s top overall pick. He isn’t expected to play back-to-back games, for instance.

Still, if NHL teams want to see their prospects get a taste of what the big time is like even at the AHL level, they should pay attention to those games against the Barons.

Goalies beware.