5 Injuries That Could Derail New Jersey Devils Season

5. Taylor Hall

You should have seen this one coming. Everyone should know that the Devils offense runs through Hall, which is why this is number five. We have seen first hand how an injury to Hall could impact this Devils team.

Before his injury last season, Hall was on pace for a repeat of his MVP season with a projected 92 points. Just one off his career high mark in 2017-18. No one could replace Hall’s skill level on the top line 5v5, on the power play, and especially during three on three. Only four players were able to outscore Hall’s 37 points. Hall didn’t play a game past December 23rd. To not have a player score a point for half the season and only have four players outscore that mark is telling of the lack of depth.

Also it should be taken into account that the mystery of Hall’s absence may have had an effect on the team. Hall was marked day-to-day when the injury happened, but no one saw him until the end of the year press conference. To not have your star player available and not know if or when he will come back to try and help the team may have had an influence on the team morale in the locker room. There is no way to tell that, but when most teams are missing their best player, the team usually struggles. Unless you have Scott Clemmensen.