Ramblings: Larsson and Lucic

Boy, what a week that was. We are nearly one week since Taylor Hall was infamously dealt for Adam Larsson, while Milan Lucic was signed to a long term contract.

I wanted to wait a bit let the winds die down and the emotional rollercoaster to heed to a stop before I started my ramblings.

There have been many, quality posts that have been done around this trade and I wanted to wait a bit before to give my two cents. I highly suggest reading the other writer’s take here, as it’s some worthwhile reading material.

• Dave’s Post on the Trade
• Rex’s Post on the Trade
• Meg’s Post on the Trade
• WheatnOil’s post on the Trade
• Alex’s Post on the Trade

The Hall-Larsson Trade

It’s one of those “where were you when it happened” moments. I was actually having our staff end of the year luncheon at the Moose Factory when I saw Bob McKenzie’s Tweet. My mood instantly went down and my co-workers jokingly asked what’s wrong. I said they’re trading Hall and it looks like Larsson.

We went mini golfing and I turned off my phone. The drive to some afternoon Mini Golf was me yelling “THEY TRADED HALL” in my car. I could not believe it happened: I felt like I was punched in the gut.

Now, there are people who are rightfully angry at this trade, and I was on board. Taylor Hall, was a fan favorite for many people including myself. I instantly pre-ordered his jersey when his number was revealed, got his autograph during development camp. Hall was a guy who I was the biggest fan of: up there with Meg level of fandom. Here, I was rambling on for weeks with friends, social media and co-workers that Chiarelli would not trade Hall.

Yet, here we are.

I am not one to have the pitchforks for the General Manager after a move, even a doozy of a one like this. I still am not. That said, this was a horrible trade. The Edmonton Oilers did not receive full value for a top twenty NHL player in the league. However at the same time, the Edmonton Oilers fulfilled a need but that need was at the price of a beloved player.

Adam Larsson

Adam Larsson is 23 years old defenceman, drafted 4th overall in the 2011 draft from the New Jersey Devils. Larsson has played in the NHL since the 2011-12 season, although he did have some stops in Albany of the AHL. Darcy McLeod of becauseoilers.blogspot.com wrote a masterful fancy stat post on Adam Larsson, which is an excellent read.

The immediate reaction was that the Edmonton Oilers did not get enough ,which is true, but I think a lot of fans are underselling Adam Larsson here by saying he has limited puck skills and is only a second pairing defenceman right now.

My issues with these statements are as followed:

1. Adam Larsson played top pairing minutes with the New Jersey Devils for the past two years with Andy Greene (who is an excellent defenceman in his own right). It’s not that he was getting soft minutes either: Adam Larsson played in some really tough minutes against high quality opponents in the Metro Division while starting most of the time in the Defensive Zone. Larsson also played primarily Penalty Kill minutes rather than the Power Play.
2. Low Offensive totals, on a team that struggles to score goals. Period. The Devils ranked 30th last season with goals scored with 182. This is a team that struggles to score and I’m not sure that is exactly Adam Larsson’s fault that his former team had two 30 goal scorers, and not one 20 goal scorer.
3. His HERO chart is funky: he has low offensive numbers but as mentioned above, I strongly believe it’s more of a team issue than Adam Larsson.
4. Not many Oilers Fans watched Adam Larsson in New Jersey. I sure know I did not. While it’s not a great source, the Devils Message Board laments the loss of Larsson. This is not a player they are saying these compliments to make Oilers fans feel better.
5. David Staples is recouting games and had a good first impression: this is something I wish to do in the near future.

I’m not a fancy stats guy and I cannot do the work that some of these people do, but it’s always enjoyable trying to understand the game better. I have faith that Adam Larsson will be a top pairing defenceman for the Edmonton Oilers and will look gorgeous next beside Oscar Klefbom. While he may not be an Power Play option here, I feel that Larsson will be able to hold his own.

I’m growing more excited to see Adam Larsson in Oilers silks. They addressed a major need, again I must stress at a horrible price.

Milan Lucic

The more I think about the signing, the more I am starting to love it. Milan Lucic’s signing means a lot more than on the ice: he represents the real McDavid effect of bringing players to the organization. When a player openly states that McDavid is the reason he came to Edmonton, that is monumental. Milan Lucic is arguably the biggest Free Agent to sign in Edmonton Oiler history.

People have scoffed at Lucic’s money and term at the old brittle age of 28. However compared to:

• David Backes, 32, 5 million x 5 Years with the Bruins
• Loui Eriksson, 31, 6 Million x 6 Years with the Canucks
• Andrew Ladd, 30, 5.5 Million x 7 Years with the Jets
• Troy Brouwer, 30, 4.5 Million x 4 Years with the Flames
• Kyle Okposo, 28, 6 Million x 7 Years with the Sabres

Kyle Okposo has the same contract as Lucic but both players will be in their mid 30s by the time their contract runs out. Not so much for the other players who will be in their late thirties (with exception to Troy Brouwer.)

I also find it ridiculous to compare Lucic’s contract with David Clarkson. Clarkson is four years older than Lucic and while his game has fallen off that cliff, Clarkson has never reached above 50 points. Lucic on the other hand, has exceeded that four times in his career, most recently coming from last year with 55 points.

Lucic has also been far more durable: unlike many others, I do not see Lucic suddenly becoming injury prone. In the last five years, Lucic has incredibly missed only six games. Meanwhile, Clarkson has missed 107 games in that span. Also, when it comes to possession, Lucic blows Clarkson out of the water. It’s not close.

Final Thoughts

While the off season has changed the Oilers, nobody will know if it was for the better. Milan Lucic is no Taylor Hall nor will he ever be. However, Larsson and Lucic do bring some elements that the Edmonton Oilers have sorely lacked: physicality in the top six and a true capable right handed defenceman.

The Taylor Hall trade will hurt for a very long time. It is incredibly tough to simply say get over it. I’m not capable of saying that right now. Moving on is the only option, and I like the additions of Adam Larsson and Milan Lucic.

The Edmonton Oilers in a week’s time have achieved a more balanced team on paper and addressed a couple of needs but it came at a horrific price of trading a stud player.