The NHL is a business and Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid understands that. It’s natural to see friends get shipped off to other franchises, but the 20-year-old has already had to say goodbye to two of his close friends; Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle.
Last summer, the Edmonton Oilers sent their 2010 first overall pick to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for defenceman Adam Larsson. More recently, the team sent its long-time member Jordan Eberle to the New York Islanders for forward Ryan Strome. During this week’s NHL’s player media tour, McDavid touched on what it was like to say goodbye to his buddies.
The following is an excerpt from the Edmonton Journal:
“It never gets easier, a great friend. We’re really close. He did a lot for me coming in as a young guy [Eberle], taking me around Edmonton and kind of taking care of me. It’s never easy to lose a friend like Jordan or Taylor. It sucks.”
He then continued with:
“It just goes to show you that it is a business. But friendships do last. I talk to Taylor all the time.” He then went on to say, “ … so, like I said, friendships last. Those are the types of bonds you get when you are on a team.”
The three friends may not see each other on a regular basis anymore, but they were united this summer at Eberle’s wedding. By the looks of it, the trio had quite a time.
Since the Hall trade, the Oilers were able to take a big step forward as they made the playoffs for the first time since 2006. General manager Peter Chiarelli is hoping that the move for Strome will pay dividends, and that the massive contracts awarded to McDavid and Leon Draisaitl will, too.
The franchise is heading in a different direction, and it will be the younger guys leading the way going forward. Would you ever have imagined that Hall and Eberle would currently be on different teams five years ago?
(H/T Edmonton Journal)
