New Jersey Devils: Taylor Hall Adjusting Well to New Team
By Nick Ziegler
The New Jersey Devils made a big splash this offseason when they acquired Taylor Hall. How has his transition been to his new team?
With a desperate need for an elite scorer, the New Jersey Devils made a blockbuster trade in the offseason to acquire Taylor Hall from the Edmonton Oilers. Hall was a former No.1 overall pick and has proven to be a good scorer in the NHL.
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In his first season with the Devils, Hall was selected as one of the forwards in the NHL All-Star Game.
“I was asked if I was selected if I wanted to go, and I thought that was crazy that you even had to ask that question,” Hall told Brett Cyrgalis of the New York Post.
“Some guys might take it for granted, but I’ve always loved these things, surrounding myself with the best players in the world, having my family out there and celebrate a little bit. It’s fun,” he said to Cyrgalis. “So we’re really looking forward to it, not only because it’s the All-Star Game but because I’m representing my new team. So I’m going to try to enjoy it.”
This season, Hall has totaled 11 goals, 20 assists, and 31 total points. As expected Hall is the leading scorer for the Devils. Despite the big change, Hall is adjusting well to his new team.
“It’s been kind of an easier transition than I thought,” Hall said to Cyrgalis. “I still think that as a team and as an individual that I have more to give, and so does the team. I’m looking forward to the second half, the last 30, 35 games here, and seeing what we can build on.”
Despite acquiring Hall, the Devils still rank 28th in the NHL in goals per game. Even though the Devils haven’t played great in the first half of the season, Hall believes that there is room to improve.
“On the ice, it’s just the way we play, the identity of our team. I think I fit into that,” Hall said Cyrgalis. “I still think as a team sometimes, we struggle to find offense, and I’m a focal point of that. I’d say that I’ve had a pretty good start to my career as a Devil, but I think that there’s more there. I’m looking forward to seeing what I can keep doing.”
As the second half of the season starts, the Devils will need to pick it up a bit offensively. Getting Hall acclimated with his new teammates took some time. However, they can be optimistic about their improved chemistry with Hall.