New Jersey Devils: Thank You Taylor Hall
Fore score and 7 years ago… It’s been just about 3 and a half years since the infamous one-for-one deal that brought Taylor Hall to the New Jersey Devils.
Taylor Hall will be forever known in Devils’ lore as the first Hart Trophy winner in our still young history and a man who brought hope to our organization. I can conclusively state that Hall was the best offensive player in the history of our team and that we have a lot to be thankful for. In 2016, the Devils were in the middle of the worst period of the organization.
Hope was dwindling and the Devils were going nowhere. Then, Ray Shero pulled off the impossible and brought a bona fide star to our organization, the first since Martin Brodeur left us back in 2014. Taylor Hall brought back hope as well as the first overall pick in the 2017 draft, Nico Hischier, for those that are superstitious. He then put out the single best season in Devils’ history by a forward and brought our team to the playoffs in 2018, offering hope to our fans and putting some wind into our sails to make bold moves this past offseason along with another 1st overall pick that will change this team for the next 20 years, Jack Hughes. Ignoring the return of today’s trade to the Arizona Coyotes, my fellow contributors and I want to thank Taylor Hall for all he has done for our organization these past three years.
Dear Taylor Hall,
As a loyal fan for the previous 20 years, I have seen the perennial contender the Devils used to be and the perennial underdog we are now. Although many fans will be screaming because you would not resign with us, all I can do on behalf of fans is thank you for your time.
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After the departure of Ilya Kovalchuk, we were in between a rock and a cold place and you were able to breathe hope into our organization. You made us believe in the black and red and restored my fandom. You are an absolute superstar and on behalf of the fanbase, I would like to thank you for everything you have done. My fellow contributors and I are upset it ended this way but you deserve to play for a contender and have a chance at the Stanley Cup that we would not be able to give you for the next year or two. Careers can end at any time and we understand the drive for the ultimate trophy.
Thank you again for all you have done for our organization. The mentorship of Nico Hischier and Jack Hughes, the hope you brought back into our team, and the drive and hunger you played and practiced with on a daily basis were only a few of the reasons we loved watching you in the black and red. We would like to wish you success in Glendale and hope you never forget your time spent in New Jersey as we, the fans, will never forget what you have done for our organization.
Sincerely,
Alan Goldenberg, the Pucks and Pitchforks Team, and New Jersey Devils Fans everywhere