Taylor Hall to Devils: Latest Details on Trade Involving Adam Larsson

The Edmonton Oilers have traded left winger Taylor Hall to the New Jersey Devils for defenseman Adam Larsson, TSN's Ryan Rishaug and Darren Dreger reported Wednesday.

The Devils later confirmed the deal:

Both of these players are young pieces an organization can build around. Hall, 24, was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 draft and rose to alternate captain in Edmonton.

He has scored more than 25 goals in three of his six seasons in the league and displayed a combination of skill and power on Edmonton's top line:

"Taylor is a dynamic player with speed and youth that changes the complexion of our team," Devils general manager Ray Shero told reporters. "We feel he fits into the direction we wanted to go a year ago, which is that fast, supportive and attacking style."

But the Oilers have acquired a stockpile of young forwards in the draft, including the likes of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (23), Nail Yakupov (22), Leon Draisaitl (20) and Connor McDavid (19). Hall became an expendable option who could fetch something they've needed: defense.

Last season, the Oilers allowed 242 goals—fourth-worst in the league.

"I spoke to Taylor," Oilers general manager Peter Chiarelli told reporters. "He was very disappointed. He felt he could be part of the solution. He will have a very good career moving forward."

"This is the price you have to pay (for a top defenseman)," Chiarelli added.

The Devils were a more sound defensive team, allowing 202 goals. Only seven teams around the league gave up fewer, and a lot of that had to do with the 23-year-old Larsson, who tied for the team lead with a plus-15 rating.

That's eight points higher than any defenseman on the Oilers.

But the Devils offense just wasn't good enough, as it recorded a league-worst 182 goals. The Devils had just two players record over 20 goals and just three others with 10 or more. It makes Hall a welcome sight for New Jersey and its fans, even if the team gave up a stellar defenseman in the process.

The Devils selected Larsson fourth overall in 2011, and he developed into an above-average stay-at-home defenseman. At 6'3", 205 pounds, he's a big presence on the blue line and isn't afraid to throw his body around.

He won't put up the numbers that a two-way defenseman will, as he's never scored more than three goals in a season, but his strength and his vision on the ice help him make plays:

"I feel very strongly about this player," Chiarelli told reporters. "I feel like he's only scratched the surface. He's really excited."

This is a win-win deal for both sides. Larsson will be a top defenseman in Edmonton, while Hall will find himself on the Devils' first line as their best goal scorer and playmaker.

On top of that, both players won't be going anywhere for some time. Hall is signed through the 2019-20 season, and Larsson is inked through 2020-21, per Spotrac.