Taylor Hall heard the rumors during his time with the Edmonton Oilers, but there was still plenty of shock when he learned he'd been traded to the Devils.
The Devils sent defenseman Adam Larsson in exchange for the left wing, as Edmonton aimed to bolster its defense to help turn a corner and break a 10-year playoff drought. Edmonton had the forwards to move, and Hall was the pick.
On a conference call Wednesday afternoon, hours after learning he would be the odd man out in Edmonton, Hall couldn't help but feel betrayed by the organization that drafted him six years ago, while also being thrilled to get a new chance in New Jersey.
"I was there for six seasons, so you develop a relationship with the team, the city and the fans," Hall said. "I'm disappointed that I'm not going to be able to see that through, but I'm excited that I'm going to play for a team that wants me.
"It's not that Edmonton didn't want me, but I certainly do feel a bit slighted by the whole thing."
The 24-year-old was the top pick in the 2010 NHL Draft, and he spent all six seasons in Edmonton since, finishing in the top three in scoring for the team in each of them.
While piecing together plenty of productive minutes, transforming into a stronger two-way player and being part of the core that was meant to revitalize Edmonton, he ultimately won't get the chance to see the finished product. But he understands the business behind the move.
"I've been a good soldier for six years. I prepared as best I could, and I did as best I felt I could on the ice," Hall said. "At the end of the day, they felt that they wanted to go a different, direction, which is fine. That said, there's a new opportunity in front of me."
Olier general manager Peter Chiarelli said the trade was in no way an indictment on Hall's play, but simply a business decision. He respected Hall's ties to Edmonton and the emotion that goes into being traded.
"I spoke with Taylor about the trade earlier today and he was very disappointed," Chiarelli said. "He felt he was part of the solution and I didn't disagree with him. I just told him, 'This is the business and you have to make hard decisions.'"
Hall will also get the chance to play along former junior hockey teammate, Adam Henrique, with the Devils, and he'll add a key playmaking presence to the team that finished last in goals scored in 2015-16.
Hall will still get the chance to see a rebuilding through, being a part of a Devils team looking to get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2012.
"You hear rumblings going on throughout the draft and afterward, but certainly when it happens, it's just a little shock," Hall said. "But I'm excited for the challenge, and excited for a team that wants me there."
Chris Ryan may be reached at cryan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @ChrisRyan_NJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.