With the Oiler’s having a catastrophic season, it seems revisionist historians are having a field day.
More often than not, their collective eye of Mordor focusses on the Taylor Hall trade, and how the one time Edmonton Oiler is now flourishing in New Jersey, having a career year, single-handedly willing the New Jersey Devils to the playoffs.
Well, some of that rhetoric may be true, but I have a clear memory of what this team was like when Taylor Hall was with the Oilers, and I’m fine with the trade. In fact, I’m glad we traded him. Here’s why:
Defense Wins Games: It’s unfortunate Adam Larsson has had the off-season he has, but the glaringly obvious fact was (and is) the Oilers needed defensive help when the Oilers traded Hall for him, and they need more. With a +/- of plus 21 in 2016/17 Larsson was just what the doctor ordered last year and at 25 years old he will be a rock for years to come. While Larsson shone last year there wasn’t a peep about Taylor Hall, except for Hall’s own groans and moans, something to the effect of, “oh how dare they trade me.” Now the optics of the trade seem to show the Oilers got fleeced or didn’t get enough, but a more pragmatic team building view is necessary when analyzing this trade.
Every successful franchise is built from the goal out. The Oilers from 2010 – 12 were essentially constructed backwards, with wingers being two of the three first overall picks during this time. In team building the highest trade currency is assigned to top pairing D, because they are so important in today’s game and hard to develop. A 20 – 30 goal winger can be found most seasons on the open market. A top pairing D . . . not so much. So, I understand the argument can be made that Larsson is not a top pairing D, but he was the best that was available at the time. Should the Oilers have gotten more for Hall? Maybe, but a second or third pick in addition to Larrsson would have likely been the maximum offer, and that eventual player (if they had got it) would likely still be developing.
Poor Leadership: A true leader, leads by example. In every sport, and in life. In retrospect, Taylor Hall may have been the worst example the Oilers could have had for their your corps. His penchant for cheating to pad stats was well documented, and he openly acknowledged recently he refused to listen to his coaches. Furthermore, I’m not so sure he has matured beyond his selfishness, even this season. In a 2018 season game with Devils’ rookie Nico Hischer on his line, the young Swiss player went off-side, ruining a prime scoring opportunity. Hall responded with typical frustration, slamming his stick on the bench and refusing to make eye-contact with his impressionable line-mate. Other teammates consoled Hischer with a pat on the back, but not Hall. It will be interesting to see how young talent develops around a player that has shown this kind of negative attitude. It’s clear the Oilers did not want Hall being a negative influence on McDavid, and I believe they were correct.
Achy Breaky Taylor: It may just be his reckless playing style, but Taylor Hall is not one you can count on being consistently in the line-up. His absences are less frequent than when he was a younger player, but the fact remains, he’s only had one completely healthy season, and that’s in his prime. What will happen when he approaches 30 and beyond? He’ll likely be more challenged to finish a season as an effective player, something New Jersey is likely to see, right after they give him a hefty raise on their next contract renewal. With the Oilers moving to cap purgatory next season, they’re better off not worrying about another $6M dollar contract.
Looking Forward, Not Back
Hall is gone and there is very little that can be gained from re-visiting this trade, which I believe was necessary, and inevitable the day the Oilers drafted Connor McDavid. Of course, the pressure is on Chiarelli to get maximum value on trades moving forward, and that’s fine. But there’s no need to moan about a player that once again will likely miss the playoffs, whereas I am certain the future is bright for the Oilers.
