Taylor Hall of the New Jersey Devils is speaking from experience when he discusses Erik Karlsson’s situation in Ottawa.
Taylor Hall knows a thing or two about not only being an NHL superstar, but also being traded in a summer blockbuster deal.
The 2018 Hart Memorial Trophy winner may have also just hinted that the New Jersey Devils should pursue a trade for Ottawa Senators’ All-Star, Erik Karlsson.
Hall, who was acquired by the Devils from the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for defenseman Adam Larsson during the 2016 offseason, commented on Karlsson’s situation when he spoke to Sportsnet’s Luke Fox.
“Certainly it’s a lot easier if you are expecting the trade. If you’re Erik Karlsson, you know you’re probably going to get moved and you’re ready for that,” said Hall. “For myself, I was ready to stay in Edmonton and stick it out. So there’s different scenarios.”
Hall even had some advice for his new potential teammate in Karlsson and perhaps the Devils’ front office, too.
“The ultimate goal doesn’t really change. It’s just your surroundings and how quickly you can get used to that,” Hall said.
“The sooner, the better.”
The sooner, the better is exactly right. New Jersey would be wise to make a push at acquiring one of the league’s best all-around skaters in Karlsson.
While it was more than likely better that New Jersey general manager, Ray Shero, stayed quiet during this offseason’s unrestricted free agency period, the team does, in fact, have the cap space to make a big-time trade for Karlsson.
At this point in time, a trade for the most sought after blue liner that’s rumored to be on the move sooner rather than later makes sense for a Devils team that’s amidst the middle stages of a rebuilding process.
Yes, the front office has been cautious when dealing with its top prospects and holding onto its early-round draft picks, but the timing is right for the team to pursue a player that would completely transform the Devils’ blue line for the next decade.
The Devils have the assets and money to acquire the Swedish native and lock him up long-term, too.
At some point in time, New Jersey is going to have to make a move for another superstar player if it wants to win a Stanley Cup again, and in the words of Hall – “the sooner, the better.”
