BLOG: Hall Reflects on Time with Devils

When Taylor Hall joined the New Jersey Devils franchise via trade on June 29, 2016, he instantly became the newest 'face of the franchise.'
On Monday, Hall passed on those honors to Nico Hischier and Jack Hughes, after Hall was sent in a packaged deal to the Arizona Coyotes.
"I have no doubt they're fully capable of handling it," he said.
The transition is made after a run of four years with New Jersey, which consisted of 211 games, 76 goals and 132 assists with New Jersey. Hall was the first player in Devils franchise history to walk away with a Hart Trophy at seasons end, when his 39 goals and 54 assists in 2017-18 helped lead the Devils to the playoffs.
A year Hall looks back on it fondly, calling it the highlight of his career.
"I feel like that injected a lot of excitement at the New Jersey Devils fan base," Hall said on a conference call after the trade. "I came to the Devils the player that was. I was in a crossroads in my career. It was 'Am I going to be a first-line left winger or was I going to go a different direction?' And I became a better player once I joined [New Jersey]."
On many nights, fans could be heard chanting 'M-V-P' at Prudential Center, whenever Hall stepped on the ice, or brought people out of their seats with his glowing talent. It's something the 28-year-old holds dear of his time with the Devils.
"After my career's done, when I'm, you know, when I'm 65 years old, I'll still remember the New Jersey Devils fans chanting MVP for me," he said. "That's something that'll stick with me for a while and was definitely my most fun hockey. I have a lot to thank, Devils fans, the Devil's organization for and I'll always be grateful for my, for my time here."
The last couple of days had been trying for Hall, pulled from the Devils lineup after warmups in Colorado and sitting out against both the Avalanche and Coyotes a day later.
"I'm glad that, you know, not only do I have some clarity, but, but so do the Devils now and they can move on with their season and I wish them all the best."