McBigYak
Registered User
Hall has always been a tough guy to figure out.
I see what you are saying, but Hall played 75 games in 2013-14. Is he injury prone? It's a little more complicated than you make it sound. He essentially played three full seasons out of his final four with the Oilers.
He does seem snake bit. NJ is 28th in the league. Imagine if they win the lottery? Being on teams with 5 first overalls in eight years (counting his own draft) would have to be a record.
All that being said, I think the Oilers have to be happy with Lucic as a replacement.
I definitely feel bad for him. I loved him as a player, he was 100 percent my favorite player on this team.
I wasn't angry with the trade though. Well, I can't say that because initially, I was furious because I hadn't really watched Larsson play at all and he wasn't the big name guy I thought Hall would bring in. But after a while I am actually happy we made it.
Hall will play out his contract and I assume will leave NJ and head to greener pastures. I don't think NJ will make the playoffs in his remaining 3 seasons, so that leaves Hall at 28 years old and 10 seasons in the league before he even sees playoff action IF he signs with a team that makes it. That is so depressing for a guy like him.
Back on topic though, Lucic won't bring the offensive firepower that Hall would, but I believe all things considered(playoff experience, physical play, leadership etc) I think Lucic has a bigger overall impact on the team than Hall would. So yes, I am very happy with the replacement. Not to mention Lucic has been my favorite player in the league for years now. I was absolutely pumped when they signed him.