Taylor Hall For Adam Larsson V | 4,000+ Posts and Counting!

[Aerrol]

I have listened to every interview available and I have yet to see a congruent response to the teams main core player and defacto leader being dealt. Muted responses at best.
There is more to this story IMO but we will likely never know the details so we are left with trying to interpret the available evidence.

What we will know however is if the team carries itself in a different manner this season when things gets tough.

I like Hall but the reality was that he carried himself on the ice in a manner which was self serving when things got tough. As the main leader of this team that wasn't nearly good enough. Sure we can say that losing affected the player but there are many examples of players in losing environments that maintain a separation from allowing the losing to become part of their persona.
I didnt appreciate the fact that Hall sagged as much as he did the past few years...being the core player he was it affected the team in a big way. I loved watching Halls dynamic play but i wont miss the way he sometimes carried himself on the ice and on the bench.

I suspect that the team wont miss that either. Its tough to be part of the solution when you bring a cloud of negativity with you.

Now let me be clear here...i am not endorsing the Hall trade. It was a clear fail for Chiarelli. All I am saying is that you would have to be completely out of touch not to recognize that Hall was his own worst enemy at times and that this element wasnt helping the team..
So now we wait and we watch.

This is close to how I feel as well, though it veers a little more into the 'lets interpret the signs' angle than I personally do. I think most of the smoke re: character tend to be overblown, especially on this team where apparently every one of our highly drafted players has had character issues at some point, except McDavid and Pulju (so far). That said, there seems to be an odd collection of evidence post Hall-trade that makes it a little more believable to me. Could very easily just be typical post-trade bashing, but it's an interesting idea to follow at the least. Could moving Hall be part of the important 'culture shift' we've talked about for so long?

 

[guymez]

This is close to how I feel as well, though it veers a little more into the 'lets interpret the signs' angle than I personally do. I think most of the smoke re: character tend to be overblown, especially on this team where apparently every one of our highly drafted players has had character issues at some point, except McDavid and Pulju (so far). That said, there seems to be an odd collection of evidence post Hall-trade that makes it a little more believable to me. Could very easily just be typical post-trade bashing, but it's an interesting idea to follow at the least. Could moving Hall be part of the important 'culture shift' we've talked about for so long?

This is a question I have asked myself as well. Its not in any way a justification of the trade but it is an interesting question to ask and it seems to have some traction to it.

Some people will of course dismiss the idea all together (that team culture matters or that Hall was part of the problem) but I think its a discussion worth having.
I also think that there is very useful to observe how people carry themselves during times of hardship.

I think working in a positive supportive environment does affect success especially for sports teams.
Sometimes its much more effective to remove people than it is to change their outlook.

 

[SomeDudeOTI]

Just for the record I don't think Chia failed with the hall trade. Overpay yes, fail no.

Not including 97, Hall had the most value and when I heard the news I was not at all surprised. This had nothing to do with any character speculation, simply trade value and how bad we needed a #1RHD. My initial reaction was to wait to see what the add was but I was only expecting a throw-in pick or cap dump.
Part of my lack of reaction had to do my feeling that he would be the best one to trade, mainly from a give to get perspective but also for that magical culture change. I figured it would either be Hall or Eberle++ heading out depending in the deal, but trading Hall is definitely an out with the old, in with the new defining moment.

As for the overpay, I think it was a given that we'd end up overpaying... every gm in the league knew how bad we needed a high end RHD and it sounds to me like Chia targeted Larsson so there wasn't going to be any bargain there. I can imagine the thought processes.. Chia "I need a stud like Larsson and I think he's got offense in him that he doesn't use in NJ" Shero: "I need a high end marquee scorer.. McDavid and I'll add or Hall straight up"

Right now the trade still feels like an overpay but to be honest I think that Hall is overvalued here and Larsson is the guy from NJ that no one has ever heard of. If Larsson lives up to his billing we'll look back next summer and say it was an even trade, and if his offense blossoms and he becomes a longterm cornerstone... we actually won the trade. And overpay or not, I think the team is better now than before the trade, so in that sense we already won.

Meanwhile I'll be watching some NJ games this year... I'm not even a big Hall fan but I bet he'll be fun to watch now that he's got a real defense passing to him and covering up some of his mistakes. It'll be interesting to see what role Gazdic plays there too.. really liked him, just wish he was better at hockey.

 

[backhandsauce]

Larsson will be good for Edmonton. This trade will be in our favour in a couple years.

Klefbom and Larsson will be our Lidstrom lite and Kronwall.

 

[McOvechking]

This is a better team with that trade even if we didn't get Lucic. It's a much better team now with Looch.

 

[Nunymare]

Last and only warning on the following. If you think what you have to post might go against this in the slightest, err on the side of caution and don't post it.

13) Libel: Any posts libeling players, prospects, or hockey personnel. It's not acceptable to post that you heard Player X has a drinking/drug/sex/personal problem from a "good" source. Do not post information that can be considered defamatory without a link to a credible media source. Other forums, personal websites, hearsay, and personal testimonials are not considered credible.

 

[McPuritania]

Except it isn't important when you have crappy character people on Stanley Cup winning teams (as was pointed out about Patrick Kane). Like I said, totally overblown.

Sure it's important. The Hawks just happen to be an incredibly good team anyway.

 

[Zguy370]

This is a better team with that trade even if we didn't get Lucic. It's a much better team now with Looch.

No doubt. Like PC said when asked if he did that trade because he had some knowledge that Loooch was going to sign here also, "that trade was going to be done regardless"

 

[Ol' Jase]

Man, I really did love Taylor Hall as an Oiler, but I really think there is some selective memory at work here.

Just my opinion.

 

[Aerchon]

Man, I really did love Taylor Hall as an Oiler, but I really think there is some selective memory at work here.

Just my opinion.

He was my favorite player since joining the Oilers and I agree.

Certainly an amazing player but had holes in his game forsure.

Being at least a bit familiar with Larson and Lucic made losing Hall very palatable. Getting Puli in the mix as well is just gravy.

There is no doubt that we are a considerably better team now than before. Just hope everyone gels and stays healthy and we can finally see some more wins/playoffs.

 

[BlowbyBlow]

Man, I really did love Taylor Hall as an Oiler, but I really think there is some selective memory at work here.

Just my opinion.

Exactly, and I remember people criticizing Hall's effort level, defensive acumen, and even his physical comparisons to Seguin.

Teams will always be able to pick up a Hall in free agency. Yea you overpay but to me this furthered the inevitable that eventually you decide on who your core is I think the future will tell us its Larsson, Klefbom, Mcdavid, Draisaitl, Puljuljarvi (and Lucic for now). Everyone else will be interchangeable.

I liked the move because you build a team around Mcdavid and to have only one single drafted d-man on your roster (Klefbom) speaks volumes of being inept. Now with Nurse, Reinhart, Davidson, Larsson you have almost all your players in that same age range.

 

[McShogun99]

This thread will get interesting when the season starts and Hall Is lighting up the Eastern Conferance.

 

[Wretched Oil]

This thread will get interesting when the season starts and Hall Is lighting up the Eastern Conferance.

And Larsson is the shut down wall we've been needing all along.

 

[McGoMcD]

This thread will get interesting when the season starts and Hall Is lighting up the Eastern Conferance.

possible, I could just as easily see him really struggle. NJ won't give him a lot to play with.

I could also see Larsson gel with Klefbom like crazy. They will look like a great top pairing and poeple will be like Taylor who??

guess time will tell.

 

[BlowbyBlow]

This thread will get interesting when the season starts and Hall Is lighting up the Eastern Conferance.

I can see him doing really well NYR, NYI taken huge steps back, PHI is a bubble team. He's going to have an easier schedule definitely.

Look at the best d-man in the west (Weber, Doughty, Seabrook/Keith) then you get Letang, Karlsson all powder puffs.

I would have traded Hall 2 years ago when people are comparing him to Toews and the Crosbys of the world you know there way overrating him.

People like me like the trade realize if a guy is your supposed best player he needs to have leadership and character. The truth is the media likes him to much. Compare him to Rick Nash NYR media got on him and so did the fans. Oiler fans have become tough on some players and coddled others. I will remember Hall for being coddled.

A player in his 6th year getting benched, yelled already by 2 veteran Hall of fame coaches Mclellan/Ruff shows that previous management had a mandate to play him and not learn fundamentals.

 

[Dorian2]

I know someone will take exception to this, but whatever, I don't give a hoot. This is a very neutral perspective that can be taken either way....soooo.......

Hall was the face of a very poor franchise. He had to go.

 

[Spawn]

I know someone will take exception to this, but whatever, I don't give a hoot. This is a very neutral perspective that can be taken either way....soooo.......

Hall was the face of a very poor franchise. He had to go.

McDavid is now the face of a very poor franchise. How long until he has to go?

 

[CornKicker]

McDavid is now the face of a very poor franchise. How long until he has to go?

hall got 6 years and nothing changed, mcdavids had 40+ games, give him 2 seasons and he will have the team on his back leading us to playoffs and more

 

[KeithIsActuallyBad]

McDavid is now the face of a very poor franchise. How long until he has to go?

There was nowhere near the hype for Taylor/Tyler as there was between Connor/Jack.

 

[Dorian2]

McDavid is now the face of a very poor franchise. How long until he has to go?

I'll just have to wait and see if the franchise, under the leadership of McDavid, is still a poor franchise regarding the standings. I have a funy feeling the franchise might become much better a whole lot sooner than some expect.

And if I'm wrong, I'm wrong. Big deal. Doesn't affect my life in any way.

 

[BoldNewLettuce]

I'll just have to wait and see if the franchise, under the leadership of McDavid, is still a poor franchise regarding the standings. I have a funy feeling the franchise might become much better a whole lot sooner than some expect.

And if I'm wrong, I'm wrong. Big deal. Doesn't affect my life in any way.

"I'm sorry sir, your card has been declined"

But I think Hall would have stuck if he had shown anything with McDavid. That they barely played together is telling of either two things;

1) the org didnt care to find out
2) the players didnt care to find out

 

[Canovin]

McDavid is now the face of a very poor franchise. How long until he has to go?

I wouldn't say it's a very say poor franchise. There's just no H.O.P.E

 

[Spawn]

I'll just have to wait and see if the franchise, under the leadership of McDavid, is still a poor franchise regarding the standings. I have a funy feeling the franchise might become much better a whole lot sooner than some expect.

And if I'm wrong, I'm wrong. Big deal. Doesn't affect my life in any way.

The problem with your argument is that it assumes that one player is responsible for the fate of an organization. It completely absolves the inept management (that is still mostly all employed in this organization mind you) for the years that they failed to ice a competitive team while Hall was here.

 

[McFlyingV]

McDavid is now the face of a very poor franchise. How long until he has to go?

One of these players was better at 19 than the other was at any point in his 6 year career.

 

[Cam98]

it's going to be fun seeing Hall play well in the Eastern conference while this Oilers team continues to struggle to stop goals, produce goals and of course win games. Adding Adam Larsson isn't enough for this team to make the next big push. We had our Adam Larsson a couple years ago with Petry and we still never went anywhere and I'd take Petry over Larsson any day.