Quote:
Originally Posted by Potted Plant
I don't want to look at this as a something-for-nothing deal. While I think we got the best of it, I'm willing to acknowledge that it's a risk. Just reading the Preds board, Hall was not exactly well-loved, and there was the feeling that he wasn't put forth maximum effort. They were basically saying that he was not likely to be one of their 12 best forwards. While I think that's potentially foolish, don't overlook the possibility that Hall is on his way out of this league, and don't overlook the positives that Moore brings. He's a solid, smart defensive forward who brings maximum effort to the defensive game. He's a guy we may end up wishing we had back if guys like Helminen, Dawes, etc. don't end up as good as advertised.
Then again, Hall may take that next step in his game and become a 25-goal scorer.
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I think you misunderstand Pred fans analysis of Adam Hall. First of all, you have to realize that when any player is traded from a team, the fans immeadiately look for justifications for their departure, whether it is warruanted or not. Second of all, you have to realize that the Predators have wingers in spades. In other words, their strength as an NHL club (outside of Vokoun) is their highly talented wingers. Adam Hall is what he is. He is a big guy with a lot of heart. His defensive game was probably top 3 on the Predators team, which says a lot considering how defensive oriented we are. He also has very good hands in around the net. To go along with those positives, is an inconsistent physical game and below average speed. Hall is a great guy, and I think that good guy attitude leads him to be less aggressive unless he truly gets ticked off. That said, the guy can fight and hit very well, but this past season 05-06, he took a step back in his physical play. Why that is, Pred fans are not sure. Many of us believe it is Barry Trotz. Others think it was due to a passive leadership group (see Greg Johnson). Whatever it was, Adam Hall needs to regain his physical game (which he has always had up until this year) to be an effective third liner/specialty player, specifically penalty killing.
On a side note, Adam Hall had some of the biggest goals the Predator Franchise ever had. He is a very clutch goal scorer. Also, do not overlook his playoff run in 03-04. He was, along with Scott Hartnell, the two best forwards on the ice for the Predators, and he had a tremendous series.