Kaoz*
Guest
I said Hall played against other team's top players, is Chara not one of Boston's top players? He led Boston's defence in points. Hall also played 12 shifts against Boston's second line.
I also think it says a lot that when Edmonton had last change, we chose to play Strudwick and Foster against Seguin. We obviously weren't afraid of him.
*sigh*
This is getting to be a little mundane. Regardless of the proof I present you will be saying whatever you have to say to support your argument. I gave you a direct link that shows Hall isn't put out there against teams top players, not when it comes to forwards and not when it comes to defense. Was he on the ice at times when Chara was? Yes, if you play in a teams top 9 you can lay claim to that one, the man plays half the game. Did Julien attempt to match Chara against him? No. Did Renney try to match Hall against Boston's top line? No.
In terms of D, Renney got him out there as often as possible against Boston's 3rd pair, McQuaid and Kaberle... which is a smart coaching move. In terms of forward line matchups, there really weren't any. Hall played against both the 2nd and 3rd line throughout the game fairly evenly.
So the whole "but Hall played against top players" is just a fabrication in order to paint Hall again as the awesomest. He wasn't held to the same standard Seguin was in terms of defensive responsibility, and that is reflected in how they each progressed throughout the season both defensively and offensively.
Again, I'm not trying to slam Hall, kids awesome. The slamming of Seguin based on offensive totals he was never going to be able to reach is pathetic though. They were brought along in two different systems, and Seguins focus in order to get playing time was on his defensive game, and fitting into Boston's system, a strict defensive system compared to others including Edmonton. He was obviously able to do that. Hall came into a system which allowed for the normal deficiencies young players arrive in the league with, both Julien and even Hall himself pointed this out both before and after the Bruins Oilers games.
It is what it is, and really all I got to say on it.