I wanted to be sad. Hell, I tried to be sad. When the shock of adding an elite offensive player wears off I probably will be a little sad that Adam Larsson is no longer with the Devils. After having the beginning of his career sabotaged by the hater of all players under the age of 22 (Peter Deboer), Larsson's play has undergone a meteoric rise. You could actually argue that he was the best player not named 'Schneider' on the Devils last year, and it's going to hurt like hell not seeing him eat up top pairing minutes on the blue line. He finally came into his own as a prospect, and it's to his credit that he's worthy of fetching a Taylor Hall all by his lonesome. This trade isn't is as lopsided as people are making it out to be, and that's a testament to how underrated Adam Larsson is in nearly all phases of the game. That said, you do not pass up an opportunity to add a potential point-per-game player. That's what the Devils just added to an offensively starved lineup that will undoubtedly feel the trickle down effect of adding a premiere talent at the top of it. This makes everyone's job easier, and it takes pressure off guys that are undoubtedly better suited to fill secondary scoring roles. It hurts to lose a shutdown defenseman, but it's worth it when it brings you a consistent playmaker that knows how to put the puck in the net. There's no longer a question about whether or not New Jersey has a legitimate first line talent, and it's a first line talent that is signed on to a more-than-reasonable contract through 2020. I don't want to go as far as saying that the Devils just acquired a franchise player in Taylor Hall, but they certainly acquired a franchise altering player for a team that has struggled so mightily to produce offensively. Ray Shero - who has been rolling 7's since he plopped his ass in that cushy leather chair somewhere atop the Prudential Center - took another calculated risk and you'd have to be crazy to be a Devils fan that's upset with the reward. A 24 year old player that had enough potential to be selected first overall in the draft and has produced consistently since coming into the league is headed to New Jersey. Just say it back to yourself right quick. Taylor Hall is a New Jersey Devil. TAYLOR HALL IS A GODDAMN NEW JERSEY DEVIL!!! P.S. Do it Hynes. Do it...
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