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The NHL Network recently started up a series ranking the top players in the NHL by position.
Up first were the forwards.
Here are the NHL Network's rankings of the top-20 forwards in the NHL right now.
1. Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks
2. Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins
3. Alexander Ovechkin, Washington Capitals
4. Jamie Benn, Dallas Stars
5. Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks
6. Joe Pavelski, San Jose Sharks
7. John Tavares, New York Islanders
8. Anze Kopitar, Los Angeles Kings
9. Tyler Seguin, Dallas Stars
10. Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins
11. Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning
12. Vladimir Tarasenko, St. Louis Blues
13. Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers
14. Patrice Bergeron, Boston Bruins
15. Johnny Gaudreau, Calgary Flames
16. Joe Thornton, San Jose Sharks
17. Claude Giroux, Philadelphia Flyers
18. Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning
19. Corey Perry, Anaheim Ducks
20. Nicklas Backstrom, Washington Capitals
There are a handful of players not listed who you could make legitimate arguments for. One of those players is Taylor Hall.
Over the last four seasons the following players have more 5 v 5 points: Patrick Kane, Jamie Benn and Sidney Crosby. Only two players have averaged more 5 v 5 points per 60 minutes so adjusting for minutes makes him look even better.
This list is not about the past, though, so let's take a look at how Hall fared in several major categories during the 2015-16 campaign.
48 points at 5 v 5 - tied with Blake Wheeler for 5th in the NHL
2.31 points per 60 at 5 v 5 - good for 8th in the NHL; just below Joe Thornton (minimum 1,000 minutes)
10.29 shots per 60 at 5 v 5 shots/60 - 11th in the NHL (minimum 1,000 minutes)
Oilers' 5 v 5 goals for% with Hall: 51.8%, making them an above average team
Oilers' 5 v 5 goals for% without Hall: 41.2%, making them worse than the tanking Toronto Maple Leafs (they ranked 30th scoring 42.9% of the goals at 5 v 5)
It wasn't Hall's best season but he was still a top-20 forward in almost every major category at 5 v 5, where the majority of every game is played.
Hall wasn't one of the NHL's leading scorers, though, and played for a terrible Edmonton Oilers team so anything he accomplished isn't worth acknowledging - or so it seems.
Obviously this list isn't the be all and end all but it once again appears Hall is flying under the radar. He really is a perfect fit for the New Jersey Devils.
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