McDavid: 'It sucks' losing Hall, Eberle to trades, but it's a business

Connor McDavid was disappointed to see two teammates and friends get traded, but he understands that's just part of the game.

The reigning Hart Trophy winner is still processing the departures of Jordan Eberle and Taylor Hall, who were traded away in separate deals about a year apart.

"It never gets easier," McDavid told Postmedia's Mike Zeisberger. "Jordan's a great friend. We're really close. He did a lot for me coming in as a young guy, taking me around Edmonton and kind of taking care of me.

"It's never easy to lose a friend like Jordan or Taylor. It sucks."

Eberle was sent to the New York Islanders for Ryan Strome on June 22, and Hall was traded to the New Jersey Devils on June 29, 2016 in a controversial deal for defenseman Adam Larsson.

Related - McDavid responds to Hall trade: 'It's definitely a shock'

McDavid said he was first struck by the frequency of player movement back in his junior days.

"Two months into my second season my roommate got traded. And for me, it was like: 'This is insane " You can't get close to anyone.' It was so hard for me.

"And then a week later, my other buddy got traded. So, it was like two of my best buddies in the whole world on the team got traded in a week. So for me, it was kind of a rude awakening."

The 20-year-old superstar knows it's a reality of the sports world, but the departures haven't stopped him from keeping in touch with his former teammates.

"Now, in the past two seasons, losing (Hall) and (Eberle) and all these different guys, it just goes to show you that it is a business," McDavid said. "But friendships do last. I talk to Taylor all the time, I was at (Jordan's) wedding " so, like I said, friendships last. Those are the types of bonds you get when you are on a team."

McDavid and Eberle played together for the last two seasons, and Hall played with McDavid during the 2015-16 campaign. Hall and Eberle were teammates for six seasons beginning in 2010-11.

All three players were first-round picks, with McDavid and Hall going first overall in 2015 and 2010, respectively. Eberle was Edmonton's 22nd overall selection in 2008.

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