Prospect Info: #13 Nico Hischier: "I love to hockey" Part II

[Emperoreddy]

There really isn't anytging bad to say about Nico. He is doing everytthing right.

 

[My3Sons]

There really isn't anytging bad to say about Nico. He is doing everytthing right.

You are wrong. I’ll go on record saying something bad about him.....

He’s way too unselfish and should look for his own shot more. There I’ve said it and it’s out there. So there are negative comments to be made.

 

[My3Sons]

Good news everybody......

My youngest son asked for a Hischier jersey as a holiday gift! Unprompted by me. Nico is starting to make some sort of impact in the sports world that a kid in football land can notice him. Of course he also asked for a Pat McAfee jersey. That guy has some wacky cult following.

 

[Devils Army]

Good news everybody......

My youngest son asked for a Hischier jersey as a holiday gift! Unprompted by me. Nico is starting to make some sort of impact in the sports world that a kid in football land can notice him. Of course he also asked for a Pat McAfee jersey. That guy has some wacky cult following.

Don't you dare slander the great Pat McAfee

 

[devilsblood]

Hawerchuk, Dionne, Peter Stastny, Pat Lafontaine, Joe Thornton, Adam Oates.

Lots of great centers have never won a cup.

Well that's 6 guys over 40 years. Is that a lot? Are all of those guys "great" players?

On the other hand is Matthews destined to be a "great" player?

 

[BruinLVGA]

The Laffs have always been insufferable. Their recent "success" just makes it worse and they think their team is gods gift to man.

I once had one of them Toronto maniacs telling me that any Toronto fan is on average more knowledgeable than any other fan in the league. Must be something special in the water in Toronto that makes one an expert and better than anyone else...

Another one that used to make me cringe was when they called themselves the Mecca of hockey because they have the darn hockey hall of fame. Seriously, like a building would make Toronto the center of the hockey universe...

 

[devilsblood]

I wouldn't argue against the idea that the average canadian hockey fan knows more about hockey then the average US hockey fan.

 

[The Wumpus]

I think hockey's popularity in Toronto means the average Leafs fan is much less knowledgeable, kind of in the same way that half the people in New England are "huge Red Sox fans" that don't actually watch baseball.

 

[Blackjack]

Well that's 6 guys over 40 years. Is that a lot? Are all of those guys "great" players?

On the other hand is Matthews destined to be a "great" player?

Petr Nedved, Mike Peca, Stu Barnes

...wait, what are we doing again?

 

[JimEIV]

Well that's 6 guys over 40 years. Is that a lot? Are all of those guys "great" players?

On the other hand is Matthews destined to be a "great" player?

That was off the top of my head and those guys are super stars. Every one of them are near or over a PPG career. Those are top all time leading point producers.

 

[glenwo2]

lol he just re-signed there too for the next 8 years......bet hes regretting that one

jesus.....I'll bet.

I'm sure the Money is good but after a few years of being at the bottom of the league, he'll start "regretting". He's still young and naive enough to believe the team will turn it around. lol

 

[Emperoreddy]

Don't need Toronto talk,here.

Get back on topic about Nico

 

[Bleedred]

I once had one of them Toronto maniacs telling me that any Toronto fan is on average more knowledgeable than any other fan in the league. Must be something special in the water in Toronto that makes one an expert and better than anyone else...

Another one that used to make me cringe was when they called themselves the Mecca of hockey because they have the darn hockey hall of fame. Seriously, like a building would make Toronto the center of the hockey universe...

A lot of people have cut down Nico this year. They've been underrating him since before the draft. We were told we should be happy with a 40 point (per 82 games) season from him, since he probably wasn't capable of much more than that.

 

[BahlDeep]

Bold Prediction: Devils will win a cup before Leafs do.

 

[MacDonald4MVP]

Hi folks flyers fan here. Any time Canadian fans get involved in main board or turns to shit. Also no offense but it's hard to imagine too many people watching devils games (outside your fan base ofcourse), yet so many come offering their insight lol.

Also wings with talents like lidstrom, datsyuk and zetterberg managed only one cup in Babcock 10 years so you know Toronto winning a cup isn't given just yet.

Anyway watching Nico in juniors my favorite thing about his game were creating space with his speed with and without the puck, and clogging up the middle on the forecheck. Is it still something that separates him from the pack even in nhl level?

 

[BruinLVGA]

A lot of people have cut down Nico this year. They've been underrating him since before the draft. We were told we should be happy with a 40 point (per 82 games) season from him, since he probably wasn't capable of much more than that.

I would have been happy with a 40 points season, heck even 35. So many things that go against him: age, physique, little experience on small ice and in the pros, coming from not one of the top nations & whose best forward ever produced was Niederreiter (very good player, but not a star, IMO).
But for anyone doubting his qualities, that was insane. He literally has just one weakness and a couple of other areas that are not super strong. They're are all easy to improve: 1) physique... He will fill in... 2) experience... He will gain it... 3) shot... which is not bad by any means, but it's a little behind all his other great talents... He can work on it and improve it.
If the kid gets 60 points and plays like a mini Kopitar NOW, imagine the future.

 

[Kurt Cobain]

I think hockey's popularity in Toronto means the average Leafs fan is much less knowledgeable, kind of in the same way that half the people in New England are "huge Red Sox fans" that don't actually watch baseball.

Exactly the more fans you have the more likely you are have completely ignorant fans that just hopped on the bandwagon. I know I'm biased being a Devils fan and we obviously don't have the largest fanbase, but I firmly believe we are an extremely knowledgeable and passionate group of fans. For an organization and fanbase that's constantly told we don't exist basically we have one or the most active team boards on this site. Says something considering this is the largest hockey board on the internet.

 

[MakoSlade]

There really isn't anytging bad to say about Nico. He is doing everytthing right.

I have two concerns...

1. Is he peaking right now? Meaning, is this the Nico we will see for his entire career? He seems so ahead of his years...I just hope he hasn't peaked early! How would one even spot that?

2. His fitness. He seems gassed after every shift! And last year he hit a brick wall around January.

I think these are just fears...I haven't been this excited about a Devils prospect ever. Watching him is amazing. That pass to Hall, with Jones and Werenski defending...wow. Blowing past the Leafs best defensman, Reilly. No fear, works his azz off, shifty speed, great hands and so much more. Fun to watch!

 

[severian]

There really isn't anytging bad to say about Nico. He is doing everytthing right.

Not finishing his chances, but even that has improved of late.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

I have two concerns...

1. Is he peaking right now? Meaning, is this the Nico we will see for his entire career? He seems so ahead of his years...I just hope he hasn't peaked early! How would one even spot that?

2. His fitness. He seems gassed after every shift! And last year he hit a brick wall around January.

I think these are just fears...I haven't been this excited about a Devils prospect ever. Watching him is amazing. That pass to Hall, with Jones and Werenski defending...wow. Blowing past the Leafs best defensman, Reilly. No fear, works his azz off, shifty speed, great hands and so much more. Fun to watch!

The fact that his strength and cardio kinda stink now and he's still this good should tell you that this won't be his peak. IDK how many points he's gonna score every year, but he's gonna be a better hockey player if he addresses those issues (which he obviously will, he works insanely hard).

 

[OmNomNom]

is the "nico is constantly gassed" shtick an overblown shtick? or is it a valid concern? i mean, can't one argue that that's just how he rests on the bench (hunched over)?

i know the argument is that his body is still developing as well, but i'm a bit skeptical on the concerns

 

[Lou is God]

Has Nico peaked? Wait till he puts on 20 pounds of muscle, I don't think we're close to seeing the Best of Nico yet.

 

[Blender]

Peaking at 18? What...

 

[FooteBahl]

The only concern I have about Nico, which can be improved, is his shot. It doesn’t seem to have much pepper on it, but like many have said, once he matures into a man and gains strength the shot will follow. The sky is the limit for this kid if he can stay healthy.

 

[Zippy316]

2. His fitness. He seems gassed after every shift! And last year he hit a brick wall around January.

I think these are just fears...I haven't been this excited about a Devils prospect ever. Watching him is amazing. That pass to Hall, with Jones and Werenski defending...wow. Blowing past the Leafs best defensman, Reilly. No fear, works his azz off, shifty speed, great hands and so much more. Fun to watch!

The best part of that pass to Hall was he looked off Werenski which opened the lane.

As far as #2, I think that's something he will learn to adjust and adapt to. Earlier on he was engaging a lot more with opponents and being abused physically. He's been a lot better lately at using his speed and shiftiness to create separation and prevent energy-draining board battles.

The only concern I have of him has been some defensive issues early on. He was in the right position and had the right idea, but he was underestimating his opponents. He's smart when it comes to controlling the play, supporting it down low, and transitioning to offense. But at times on the back check, he's been caught and it's lead to scoring chances and goals at times.

At the same time, from all we've seen, I don't think that'll be an issue for longer and I haven't noticed it lately.