The rebuilding process for the Devils was accelerated a little bit faster than most anticipated. They broke a five-year playoff drought before losing to the Lightning in a five-game first-round series this past season.
It was all sparked by the Hart Trophy-winning campaign of Taylor Hall — his acquisition from the Oilers in exchange for Adam Larsson two years ago now seeming like grand larceny executed by general manager Ray Shero.
It also helped that Shero converted on his lottery luck with the No. 1-overall pick in the 2017 draft, taking Nick Hischier and watching as the Swiss teenager showed he immediately belongs playing among the world’s best.