Edmonton Oilers general manager Peter Chiarelli made a bold decision Wednesday, trading former first overall pick Taylor Hall to the New Jersey Devils for defenseman Adam Larsson.
Chiarelli spoke to the media following the transaction and admitted Hall didn't take too kindly to the news.
Hall was "very disappointed" by trade, says Chiarelli. "He thought he would be part of the solution here."
— Mike Halford (@HalfordPHT) June 29, 2016
On the flip side, Chiarelli alluded to the seller's market for strong, right-handed defenders, which are not readily available.
"We've pounded the payment and this is the price you have to pay," said Chiarelli. "It's a need-based trade. I feel very strongly about this player. I feel he's barely scratched he surface."
The club apparently worked hard to make a deal for a defenseman at the NHL draft, but ultimately couldn't pull the trigger.
Chiarelli says landing Puljujarvi at draft made it easier to part ways with Hall.
— Mike Halford (@HalfordPHT) June 29, 2016
Meanwhile, the Devils appear to be the winners of the deal. Chiarelli insists, though, his club had to take advantage of Larsson's improved play.
"I could see his game trending up and it was time to act on it," said Chiarelli. "I feel very strongly about this player. I feel like he's only scratched the surface. He's really excited."
Chiarelli expects Larsson to fill in on the club's top pairing, but with the free-agent market opening Friday Chiarelli admits his club is likely not done.
"If we don't do anything on July 1, it's not for a lack of trying," Chiarelli said, according to Mike Halford of ProHockeyTalk.
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