For the third time in as many years, Jordan Hall has been involved in a trade with the New England Black Wolves. On Friday afternoon, New England shipped Hall to the Georgia Swarm for three draft picks; the eighth, 14th, and 24th overall in the upcoming 2016 entry draft.
The Black Wolves had been without a draft selection until the 29th overall before this trade. Previously, general manager Richard Lisk had mentioned the team using free agency to add to its roster instead of the draft. With three early round draft picks now in the fold, New England should be able to add more young talent to compete for roster spots.
Being able to move Hall might come from the addition of free agent forward Chad Culp, who also plays from the left side. Culp, Pat Saunders, and Kevin Buchanan already should take up most of the touches from that side of the floor. The right side also remains deep, with Shawn Evans, Kevin Crowley, and Kyle Buchanan.
Meanwhile, the Swarm, who have historically used most of their draft picks to replenish their roster with young talent, have made more moves for veteran players this off season than in recent memory. After signing goaltender Mike Poulin to a three year deal, Hall is the second veteran player addition the team has made since August 1st.
Georgia emerged as a potentially dangerous team offensively last season, and Hall adds more depth to that. Shayne Jackson, Johnny Powless, and Jesse King make up the left side of that offense, but Hall can also work in more of a transition role for Georgia in what’s already a deep team in that department.
This s the second time New England has traded Hall, after they shipped him to Rochester on draft day in 2014. Both the Wolves and Swarm are young teams that have prolific offensive abilities and should challenge the old guard of Toronto, Buffalo, and Rochester for playoff spots again in 2017.
