The New Jersey Devils acquired left wing Taylor Hall from Edmonton in exchange for defenseman Adam Larsson, Devils’ Executive Vice President/General Manager Ray Shero announced on Wednesday.
Hall, 24, has spent his entire six-year career with the Oilers’ organization. In 381 career NHL games, he has recorded 132g-196a-328pts and 234 penalty minutes. He has led Edmonton in scoring for three of the last four seasons, and has finished top three on the squad in each of his six seasons. This past year, Hall posted 26g-39a-65pts and 54 penalty minutes while skating in all 82 games. He also represented the Oilers at the 2016 NHL All-Star Game in Nashville.
The native of Calgary, Alberta, was the first overall selection in the 2010 NHL Draft. He played three seasons with Windsor (OHL) from 2007-10, and registered 123g-157a- 280pts and 138 PIM in 183 career games.
Hall, along with current Devils’ forward Adam Henrique, helped lead the Spitfires to two Ontario Hockey League Championships and two Memorial Cup Championships (both, 2009 & 2010). During the 2009-10 season, he led the OHL in assists, points, playoff points, played in the All- Star Game and was named to the league’s First All-Star Team. In 2008-09, Hall paced the league in playoff goals, playoff points, earned the playoffs MVP award and was named to the league’s First All-Star Team.
The 6’1”, 200lb. winger has skated for Team Canada at the 2010 World Junior Championships (silver medal) and at three World Championships (gold medals in 2015 & 2016).
Larsson spent five seasons with the Devils, and he played very well last year under new head coach John Hynes.
In 2015-16, Larsson had 18 points (3 goals, 15 assists) and had a career-best +15, meaning he was on the ice for that many more goals than Devils’ opponents.