Taylor Hall was just as shocked as everyone else.
The Edmonton Oilers traded Hall to the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday for defenseman Adam Larsson. The deal is widely viewed as a huge win for New Jersey and a colossal failure for Edmonton, and Hall can’t help but scratch his head over what Oilers general manager Peter Chiarelli was thinking.
“It’s disappointing,” Hall said after the trade went down, according to the Edmonton Sun. “I was there for six seasons, you develop a relationship with the team and the city and the fans. I’m disappointed that I’m not going to be able to see that through.
“I certainly do feel a bit slighted by the whole thing.”
Hall has evolved into one of the NHL’s best left wings since being drafted first overall by the Oilers in 2010. Edmonton hasn’t been able to take the next step despite owning the No. 1 pick in four of five NHL drafts between 2010 and 2015, though. In fact, the Oilers have missed the playoffs every season since advancing to the Stanley Cup Final in 2005-06.
Despite that futility, Hall seemingly enjoyed his time in Edmonton, at least until it became clear the Oilers were shipping him out of town. Hall spoke with Chiarelli before Wednesday’s stunning trade was made public, and it sounds like the 24-year-old expressed some displeasure with being dealt.
“I think I just voiced my disappointment in what had happened,” Hall said, per the Sun. “I’m a proud person and I do take this as an indictment on me as a hockey player — I don’t think there’s any other way to treat it.
“I have a pretty deep connection to the city of Edmonton, and I felt like I did everything I could there. It’s pretty hard not to feel slighted, it’s pretty hard not to feel a little bit disappointed with how everything shook out.”
Hall acknowledged he’s excited for the challenge that awaits with the Devils, whom he not-so-subtly described as “a team that wants me there.” It sounds like there are some hard feelings between him and his former organization, though.
New Jersey just acquired one highly skilled and highly motivated player.
Thumbnail photo via Brad Rempel/USA TODAY Sports Images
