Todd Cordell: Why I have Nico Hischier ranked above Nolan Patrick

Don't do this to me

No

Agreed. Take this with a grain of salt, but on MvsW Marek said the people he's talked to say the Devils are leaning Hischier. I hope that's true. EJ Hradek also said something similar in a different interview. So that's two people who, while they aren't necessarily insiders, are well connected. I can't wait for June!

Marek also compared Hischier to Datsyuk-lite.

Patrick is Right handed, will have bigger frame, and arguably played in a better defensive league (whl) over (qmjhl). Nico will get you more points, Nolan will get you more wins

Big big decision especially with the Flyers at #2. I'm glad I don't have to make it and I hope they don't screw it up!

Patrick is Right handed, will have bigger frame, and arguably played in a better defensive league (whl) over (qmjhl). Nico will get you more points, Nolan will get you more wins
- whitehw

If Nico will get you more points, is clearly a better skater, and is also a good defender, wouldn't he get more wins?

Big big decision especially with the Flyers at #2. I'm glad I don't have to make it and I hope they don't screw it up!
- MannySilvers

Amazing how this draft lottery went. The Flyers needed a young impact player. Whoever falls to the Flyers helps speed up the revamping with all the d prospects coming in a year or 2.

Patrick is Right handed, will have bigger frame, and arguably played in a better defensive league (whl) over (qmjhl). Nico will get you more points, Nolan will get you more wins
- whitehw

Devils already have the big-framed RH defensive center in Zajac, and a RH, speedy 6'2" potential shutdown C in the system in McLeod. They should go with the more creative player who also plays a 2-way game. And another big-framed 2-way center in Zacha.

Just like Matthews and Laine, they are both great choices for first overall.
Seems to me however NJ needs that big number 1 centre type horse, and Patrick better fits that role. That is assuming his injury history is not indicative of future problems.

Devils already have the big-framed RH defensive center in Zajac, and a RH, speedy 6'2" potential shutdown C in the system in McLeod. They should go with the more creative player who also plays a 2-way game. And another big-framed 2-way center in Zacha.
- CaptCrankypants

McLeod is a shutdown center? News to me.

I now think the Devils should offer the #1 pick to the Jets for Jacob Trouba. Then they don't have to make a choice.

https://www.nhl.com/news/...nolan-patrick/c-289226194

Found it odd that Dan Rosen didn't even mention Hischier in this.

Any thought of trading the pick? What if the offer is Fowler, Silverberg and Anaheim's 1?

Zacha is left handed but I kinda look at it like picking getzlaf potential vs. Giroux

Any thought of trading the pick? What if the offer is Fowler, Silverberg and Anaheim's 1?
- jtirri

I feel like for where the Devils are as an organization you don't pass on an opportunity to draft a prospect like Patrick or Hischier, even if they aren't guaranteed elite players like in the past couple drafts, they are the kind of young players you build around and can only get by having top picks. I think the offer needs to really blow them away for them to move down.

McLeod is a shutdown center? News to me.
- shvingter88

Yeah, when did that happen?

Any thought of trading the pick? What if the offer is Fowler, Silverberg and Anaheim's 1?
- jtirri

Not interested in that return.

no, just no.

If Nico will get you more points, is clearly a better skater, and is also a good defender, wouldn't he get more wins?
- Todd.Cordell

no

If Nico will get you more points, is clearly a better skater, and is also a good defender, wouldn't he get more wins?
- Todd.Cordell

HEART. GRIT. LEADERSHIP.

I kid, I kid.

Todd I have to agree with you. I really like both and I am torn to say who is better fit. Nolan does provide NJ with a big top line center, but Nico is also a center and he is dynamic. Right now I have to give the edge to Nico even if its by 1cm. Nolan's injury history really puts doubt, I know some say they were minor injuries, but still. I was team Nolan, but now I am leaning towards team Nico. Let see how the next 2 months go and maybe we will have a clearer choice as #1

McLeod is a shutdown center? News to me.
- shvingter88

I wouldn't call him a shutdown center but I see what he's saying. McLeod is very good defensively and there have been questions about how much he'll score (in terms of goals) at the next level.

Amazing how this draft lottery went. The Flyers needed a young impact player. Whoever falls to the Flyers helps speed up the revamping with all the d prospects coming in a year or 2.
- J35Bacher

I still think the Flyers can afford to trade one young D ( Sanheim, Myers or Morin ) for a very good equal aged forward prospect. You add that person to the 2nd overall and your re build is complete at all positions.

For me Nico's sample size is just too small and his past season could possibly be a fluke not saying it is but there is a chance while Patrick has had 3 solid seasons with The Wheat Kings also not so sure Nico will be able to be as flashy and skate around defenders at the next level but Patrick has the size to continue to do what he does in the NHL I hope the Devils go Patrick and Nico turns out to be a bust because (frank) the flyers