…‹In this edition of the hotstove, we discuss what you should expect from Nico Hischier during his rookie campaign.
Todd Cordell
…‹I'm really high on Nico Hischier -- I think he has the skill set and work ethic to develop into a star -- but it's important to be realistic with expectations.
The Devils play a low-event style of game, and aren't exactly overloaded with puck-moving defensemen, so he's not exactly joining a situation where he can pile up the points at a high rate.
If Hischier can score 15 goals and put up 40-45 points I think his rookie season would be a huge success.
Adam French 82gp 20 goals 29 assists 49 points
I like Hischier, but not a ton. I've seen him play in Gatineau live about 3 times and on streams/tv at the U20's/U18's and Ivan Hlinka about another 9 combined. He's a good prospect, but in the RNH levels of 1st overall hype. People need to remember that Yakupov had extreme hype, he just failed. Whereas RNH had the "oh...well we're glad we got him sure." He played about 26 minutes a night which top talent can do in the Q and scored about half of his points on special teams. He won't get to do that in the NHL, especially his short handed production. The best in the game like Bergeron/Marchand and Grabner can't produce at that high a clip.
I think the most interesting point is that Zajac is not going to be there to open the season and Zacha is still a question mark as an NHLer. Henrique apparently doesn't work with Hall...so does this mean Hischier gets to start with Hall? Maybe...which would be good for his numbers, though likely not as good as people would hope.
I really don't want to be down on expectations for him, but we need to look at things realistically.
Recent 1st Overall Forwards
Matthews - 82gp 40g 29a 69p McDavid - 45gp 16g 32a 48p MacKinnon - 82gp 24g 39a 63p Yakupov - 48gp - 17g 14a 31p RNH - 62gp 18g 34a 52p Hall - 65gp 22g 20a 42p Tavares - 82gp 24g 30a 54p
He will have to play in a similar situation as Tavares being the new top tier player with very little offensive talent around him. Though I don't think he is as good as Tavares was. Especially not as polished.
He's not as explosive as Hall.
Nor on an amazing line with built up chemistry like RNH.
Yakupov came in as an unknown with a lot of KHL action under his belt when players were coming back slow from their "break."
MacKinnon joined a team with a lot of offensive talent where he could be used in favourable conditions including on the wing.
McDavid is McDavid.
Matthews had an unpredecented level of success in the Swiss league and then played on a team with three quality scoring options.
I don't see Hischier having an easy time in the NHL, especially if they try him at centre...which they must, because he is now their future.
Peter Tessier The pressure of a franchise falls on Nico's shoulders now that Travis Zajac is out. It seems silly to say that but as the first overall pick it is an inevitable situation in this case. He's got Taylor Hall who will certainly be of support but all eyes will be on him and that makes this guesstimate on his first year difficult.
Would 18 goals and 28 assists be out of line to suggest? Too low or too high? Perhaps one could bump that up or down a bit but so much might depend on what the Devils are this season. The Devils could be downright ugly and for Nico that could hurt him and his production. Instead of guessing at production maybe let's turn this into an over/under bet. I'll set the line at 42 points.
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