Hall was limited to 33 games last season after having fragments removed from his left knee. He had 37 points (11 goals, 26 assists), one season after winning the Hart Trophy as the NHL most valuable player with an NHL career-high 93 points (39 goals, 54 assists) in 76 games in 2017-18, when the Devils made the playoffs for the first time in six seasons.
Acquired in a trade with the Edmonton Oilers for defenseman Adam Larsson on June 29, 2016, Hall has one season remaining on a seven-year, $42 million contract (average annual value $6 million) he signed with the Oilers on Aug. 22, 2012. He can sign an extension of up to eight years with the Devils at any time and could become an unrestricted free agent July 1, 2020.
"Winning the Hart Trophy gave me a lot of confidence but, for me, it's more about the team this year," Hall said. 'Hopefully we can get back to where we were. I think no one wins the Hart Trophy unless the team makes the playoffs and has a successful year. So I'm not really putting any pressure on myself to have another season like that, personally. But as a team, hopefully we get back there."
New Jersey (31-41-10) has been among the most active teams during the offseason. It selected 18-year-old center
Jack Hughes
with the No. 1 pick in the 2019 NHL Draft on June 21 and acquired defenseman P.K. Subban in a trade with the Nashville Predators the next day. The Devils also signed forward Wayne Simmonds to a one year, $5 million contract July 1 and acquired forward Nikita Gusev in a trade with the Vegas Golden Knights on July 29.
"A guy like Subban has had a lot of success in the League before," Hall said, "and even though we have a couple of unknowns with Gusev and Hughes, they are highly skilled players who can hopefully make a huge impact on our team.
"Wayne Simmonds is a known commodity and is someone who's looking to bounce back. I've played against him for a long time in the League and know how hard he is to play against. So with those four guys, and hopefully a healthy year for us, we're hoping to do some damage."