Hall became the first Devils player to win the Hart Trophy as League MVP after he had NHL career highs in almost every statistical category, including goals (39), assists (54), points (93), rating (plus-14), power-play points (37) and shooting percentage (14.0 percent) last season. The 26-year-old left wing scored seven game-winning goals, including three in overtime, to help the Devils qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2011-12. Hall had 38 points (18 goals, 20 assists) in a personal 26-game point streak from Jan. 2-March 6 and set a Devils record with a 19-game point streak during that span, from Jan. 30-March 6 (13 goals, 13 assists, 26 points).
"He's as good as anyone at taking the puck, gaining the blue line and creating plays whether it's for himself or for his teammates," Johnson said. "When you can do that and skate as well as he can, then you're on to something, because he's as good of a passer as he is a finisher, but you saw a bit more finish in his game this year. …Taylor Hall had a season for the ages for himself, for the New Jersey Devils. By any standard you want, he had a great year."