C Nico Hischier - Halifax Mooseheads, QMJHL (2017, 1st, NJD) II

[Cleatus]

It's early, I know... but maybe he just isn't ready yet? It could be good for him to go back to QMJHL for a while. He is clearly unable to play with his strengths in NHL. Another season of QMJHL would probably be very beneficial for him.

I think that it could be a good move to send him down after he plays his 7th game, assuming he still struggles at that point.

Oh it's early alright...

With the way he's been playing, the points will come very soon. Thinking he finishes with around 55 this year.

 

[FlyTimmo]

Oh it's early alright...

With the way he's been playing, the points will come very soon. Thinking he finishes with around 55 this year.

That's probably a tad optimistic. I feel 35-45 points is more realistic.

 

[BigGreenAlum]

He is so slick. Devils fans should definitely be excited about him. Hischier and Patrick will prove plenty of people wrong.

I will say though, it wouldn't hurt him to dominate the Q for another season. Either way, the Devils future is looking brighter than it has in a long time.

If NJ sends him down, the Q might not "hurt him" but not sure it will do anything to "help him" learn how to produce at the pro level. Chytil was sent to the AHL which seems more conducive to prepare him for future NHL duty and he is off to a good start there. I know this is not an option for Hischier but with 50% of NHLers coming from NCAA/Europe pro route (specifically not drafted out of the CHL and bound to the U20 rule), this means half of future NHLers can play AHL (or Europe) as pros during U19 and U20 seasons thereby adapting more naturally to the man's game in the NHL. The other half - CHL guys - who are not quite ready can have careers stalled if being forced to stay to depth NHL roles and or return to the CHL and not learn the pro game. I wonder with the continued globalization of hockey and more viable development alternatives if the CHL will adjust things as it seems the rules now favor the owners' pockets more than player development. By and large, NHL GMs opt to have players AHL as soon as they can if not contained by the CHL u20 rule.

 

[Emperoreddy]

He isn’t going back. He is creating scoring chances and is playing some really solid defense.

Points will come.

 

[42]

The usual overreaction early in the season. Hischier is 100% NHL player right now and NJ would be a worse team by not having him.

 

[BruinLVGA]

The usual overreaction early in the season. Hischier is 100% NHL player right now and NJ would be a worse team by not having him.

Perfectly spot on.

 

[Blender]

The usual overreaction early in the season. Hischier is 100% NHL player right now and NJ would be a worse team by not having him.

You get a like.

 

[VoidCreature]

Best game in the NHL for Nico tonight. 2 assists, could have had more. Got absolutely robbed of his first goal on multiple occasions.

He needs to get stronger so he can control forwards better down low in the D zone, but he absolutely looked like a top line center tonight.

 

[Emperoreddy]

He could have had a 6 point night with a goal easily. Was making so many plays.

 

[Cheddabombs]

4 points in 6 games now for Nico, pretty good. Could have had a few other points tonight for sure, once he gets his first goal I think he'll get going even more.

 

[42]

He could have had a 6 point night with a goal easily. Was making so many plays.

I thought for sure he had his 1st on that pass by Hall towards the end of the 2nd period. Terrific save by Budaj.

 

[Emperoreddy]

I thought for sure he had his 1st on that pass by Hall towards the end of the 2nd period. Terrific save by Budaj.

I couldn’t believe it. It is going to come soon, but man I don’t want him to have to wait much longer.

 

[Tryamkin]

I don’t get the hate on this kid. He’s incredible and looks very sharp, if I were the Devils I would be very pleased by the selection. He’s an NHL player and deserves it.

 

[BruinLVGA]

Great game by him, glad I stayed up till 4.30am to watch it all.

One thing though: I know that he is proud to have that 200 ft game (and I love that), but I wish that the coaching staff would point him towards using a bit more of his energy in the offensive aspect of the game. Last night I saw him many times all the way behind his own net battling a TB forward, essentially playing D. I mean, it's great, but he could be so much more an offensive dynamo if he would be a TAD more pointed towards the other net. He can win Selkes when he will have another 20/30 lbs of muscles on his frame...

 

[Lou is God]

I don’t get the hate on this kid. He’s incredible and looks very sharp, if I were the Devils I would be very pleased by the selection. He’s an NHL player and deserves it.

Unless I missed it I'm not really seeing anyone hating on this kid.

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

I don’t get the hate on this kid. He’s incredible and looks very sharp, if I were the Devils I would be very pleased by the selection. He’s an NHL player and deserves it.

I havent seen anyone hating on him... Infact i think hes been the least talked about/non trash talked about real high pick in recent memory. Even rival team fans on their GDTs have complimented how good he has looked

Most games he has been awesome.. Parts of some games he has looked young and not as strong but majority of his NHL time he has exceeded my expectations big time. Great young player

 

[The Burdened]

Unless I missed it I'm not really seeing anyone hating on this kid.

Maybe he's still just speaking to the draft hate both Nico and Nolan were getting?

Not only from boards like this, but even look at post draft lotto you have Top 3 GM of All Time aka the Prodigy John Chayka saying "Yeah...well...it's no big deal. If you had to plummet in the lotto this was the year to do it." The Wunderkind then goes onto trade his draft pick in a "hey! let's win-now!" move, and his team has really set the world on fire and has not looked back since. Lord knows if he had won one of those top picks, he would've been singing a different tune.

I hate the Devils, but I'm rooting for both players to show those who discounted them beacuse
"yeah well... they're not McDavid or even Matthews...so who cares?" to shove it. Spent 2-months thinking Nico was gonna be a Flyer, and I know there were a lot of Devil fans spending those same 2-months thinking Nolan was gonna be a Devil... but I just can't be like "well, we got the other guy..so f*** Nico hope he busts."

I know the season is only 2-weeks old, but from what I've seen both players do not at all look their age and they def look like they belong.

 

[bsu]

He easily could have had 2 goals last night. Impressive.

 

[Brooklyndevil]

He's our top line center, I don't see him going anywhere.

 

[KovalSNIPE]

He legitimately has chemistry with Hall, but even more with Stafford. Seems to be the right type of player to compliment Nico nicely. As mentioned, he had 3 legitimate opportunities to score last night, one being one of the greatest saves I've ever seen in my life.

 

[haak84]

He’s a stud. I also disagree completely with the above poster about him focusing more on the offensive zone. His backchecking and positioning has become such an asset for this team. I’m so impressed with his positioning and intelligence. He looks like a Selke candidate already. He is going to dominate when he adds muscle.

 

[ECBBW]

Nico is the kind of player you build around. It's telling that his "off" game was a game the whole team sucked in. Honestly, I just love this kid's game. He and the excellent Nolan Patrick are going to make the "bad draft" folks eat their words.

 

[Emperoreddy]

Once he fills out the sky is the limit for him. It really is.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Nico is the kind of player you build around. It's telling that his "off" game was a game the whole team sucked in. Honestly, I just love this kid's game. He and the excellent Nolan Patrick are going to make the "bad draft" folks eat their words.

I don't think thats very likely, and it has little to do with them. If you are expecting them to be McDavid and Eichel or Matthews and Laine, I just don't think its realistic. Its not their fault most of the kids born in the same age range as them suck. They shouldn't have to carry the mantle for their draft, most drafts they wouldn't have to. We wouldn't expect Marner, Provorov, Werenski to have to carry 2015 or Keller and McAvoy to carry 2016.

 

[Blender]

I don't think thats very likely, and it has little to do with them. If you are expecting them to be McDavid and Eichel or Matthews and Laine, I just don't think its realistic. Its not their fault most of the kids born in the same age range as them suck. They shouldn't have to carry the mantle for their draft, most drafts they wouldn't have to. We wouldn't expect Marner, Provorov, Werenski to have to carry 2015 or Keller and McAvoy to carry 2016.

Who has said a damn thing about them being McDavid or Matthews? Those are exceptions that come along very rarely and not the standard for a good draft.