
People have to realize a couple of things. You don't have locker room or off ice issues like the Oilers have without 29 other GMs knowing about it. Also, Larsson is not as bad as the Internet spin wheel is making him out to be. Talent for talent, on paper, Edmonton lost big time but the game is played on the ice.
Remember with Kassian none of us knew he had already been through stage one of the substance abuse policy until he entered stage two. Now before I am misunderstood, I am not saying any player on Edmonton has been through stage one. Just pointing out that this stuff does not get mentioned publicaly until it reaches a certain level.
Chiarelli had to pull the trigger and he wasn't getting the offers he thought he could. He would have had he tried to trade Hall as soon as he took over.
The Oilers have the luxury of McJesus and the the German and the other Finn to build around. This move signifies a huge huge cultural shift for the team. The team can not afford to keep such distractions for the betterment of all the new young kids. Add in a Lucic type and Demers and whatever else they get in trading a couple of more pieces and this will be Connor McDavid's team straight up. He gets it. He plays the right way and brings no off ice baggage.
On a side note, the Gudbranson trade is getting more positive feedback now

