from David Staples of the Edmonton Journal,

Edmonton Oilers general manager Peter Chiarelli looked like one man at his press conference on Thursday when he carefully explained his thinking behind trading away fan favourite Taylor Hall, then like quite another man when he addressed the topic of the newest addition to the Edmonton Oilers’, Milan Lucic.

His vibe was entirely different.

In the first case, the normally calm Chiarelli seemed a uncertain as he dealt with assertions that he had lost the Hall-for-Adam Larsson trade. In the second, Chiarelli seemed almost giddy as he talked about a new attitude and new leadership on the team, and how things were going to be different now.

On Thursday the Chiarelli quote that will be remembered by Oilers fans was the general manager’s grim assessment of the necessity of moving Hall: “This is the price you have to pay.”

The money quote on Saturday? “We improved our team significantly.”

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