Adam Hall

So this is Why I hate the prospect of the NHL lockout: News today in the world of the Preds says that Adam Hall is weighing an offer from a European team, like Vokoun is. Difference is that Adam Hall is in the "unrestricted free agent" realm, which means he, unlike Vokoun, wouldn't be required to return to the Preds immediately once the lockout ends. He would stay in Europe all year. And that's what he's considering doing--signing with the European team for the whole year. In fact the team he's talking to doesn't want to sign him for anything less than a whole year. His agent says this, "He can either make himself available here and hope for a settlement, or he can stay there and be sure of getting a full year of hockey." That's just too sad. And I'll tell you why. Adam Hall is one of those guys who has been growing exponetially in his abilities and hockey sense throughout the last two years. He's big, and not afraid to use his body or stand in the goalmouth to try and score. I can't count the number of times I saw him score last year because he was right in front of the net when the goalie coughed up a rebound. Sure seemed like a lot...and I'd bet more than half his goals came that way. He was getting serious time for a youngin' on the Penalty Kill and Power Play. He's young...24, and has contributed 29 goals and 24 assists in two seasons (and he really only got playing time this last one). Most importantly, he's one of those rare "great guys" of sports. Polite with the media and other players--he even uses the almost forgotten word "sir" a lot--and a work ethic that even team veterans are jealous of. Read the quotes of other Preds...they love this kid and he inspires them all to stay on the ice a little longer at practice. He's practically Clark Kent, an good American boy. He scored our first ever playoff goal (in Detroit no less) and is poised to be a leader on this team for years to come. (Side note: I loved having him and Hutchinson, who played together at Michigan State, on the team together. Hutchinson deserves his own entire post, because he's following nicely the progression path of Mark Eaton, and plays a similar style game...albiet with more shooting and scoring.) I understand his thinking here on the Europe thing...and the agent is also quoted as saying Adam needs to play a full year of hockey to not lose a step. That's all right and good and makes sense. But I don't want our team, even in a shortened season, to bond and grow and build without this cornerstone on the team. Sure, he'll be improving as a player, and may even come back better for having learned the skating and finesse game of the Europeans. But with his attitude and talent and work ethic, we need him here. What happens if he signs tomorrow with this overseas team and then there's a miracle that works out the CBA? Then he can't play for us. I want our guys playing if there's a lockout...no doubt. Anyone that doesn't (Arkipov, are you listening? Because you're the type of guy that I think would rather slack off and take it easy, even though you need to work harder than anyone) is just another Dunham or Delmore in disguise. So my heartache lies here: I want him to play, and play a whole year, but I want it here....and I don't think all that will happen. Which will mean, even if only to a small degree, that the season (no matter how shortened) will be incomplete in more ways than just the number of games. The team will be incomplete. And that just makes me very, very sad. (And I don't want the Arkipov from last year to take Hall's spot--maybe the Arkipov from three years ago when he score over 20 goals...but that Arki is long gone from what I can tell.) Adam Hall rules, and he rules as a Pred. I sure hope he's able to stay one for a long time. And I hope he doesn't miss out on chemistry, team-building, or anothe playoff bid, just because he's contractually obligated to play in Europe.