Devils' Schneider: Larsson won't be easily replaced

Goalies have a unique perspective on the game, meaning Cory Schneider knows better than anyone what the New Jersey Devils gave up in trading Adam Larsson.

"(Larsson) really committed himself to playing as tough a defense as he could," Schneider told Chris Ryan of NJ.com. "As a goaltender, as a player, you appreciated the style of game he played."

Eyebrows were raised around the hockey world when the Edmonton Oilers sent star winger Taylor Hall to the Devils in a straight-up deal for Larsson, but Schneider is well aware of the hole left on New Jersey's blue line.

"It's hard to replicate that, you don't find players like that very easily. That's why Edmonton had to give up such a good player to get him, because they're hard to come by," Schneider said.

"It will definitely create a hole for us, but we're hoping that there's some guys here that can fill that void and have a chance to step up."

Schneider has somewhat quietly become one of the NHL's best goalies since becoming an unquestioned number one option in New Jersey. While the addition of Hall is huge up front, the impact of Larsson's departure on the team's overall defense remains to be seen.