Todd Cordell: The New Jersey Devils should extend Nico Hischier sooner than later

Getter done.

In the real world the player and his agent would be wise to play out a third season and cash in big.

Why do morons say things like "leafs should've signed Mathews and marner last season" as if the players are stupid and have no say in the contracts they sign.

If you look at it from Nico's viewpoint, it makes no sense to sign now. He has had very good season's not great. But this coming season he should play with Hall on his wing all year. Perhaps a breakout year and then ca-ching! If he waits for next off season he has no downside, but plenty of upside.

Having said this if Ray can sign this summer, that would be awesome.

UNDRAFTED GUYS WE COULD HAVE PICKED UP AFTER THE DRAFT

Daniil Gutik, LW, 17 (Loko Yaroslavl, MHL – No. 19 EU)
At No. 69, Gutik was one of only two players in The Hockey News’ Draft Preview Top-100 list to not get drafted. Gutik tore apart the competition with Russia’s U-17 team last season and performed well at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup and World Junior A Challenge, but had an average season in the MHL. Gutik will need to be more consistent if he intends on battling for a spot on Russia’s World Junior Championship team this winter.

Ludvig Hedstrom, D, 18 (Djugardens, Sweden U-20 – No. 36 EU)
Had Los Angeles Kings draft pick Tobias Bjornfot not stolen the spotlight, Hedstrom would have been Djugardens’ top defenseman. A smart blueliner, Hedstrom boasts a mix of speed and physicality and puts plenty of pucks on net. His biggest issue is clearing his own zone, but he’s got intriguing two-way skill and looked good in international play with Sweden. He just needs a chance to show himself as a go-to guy first.

Billy Constantinou, D, 18 (Kingston, OHL – No. 58 NA)
Constantinou did little to help his draft stock after a mid-season move from Niagara, but it’s still surprising a team didn’t take a chance on him. He’s a human highlight reel, moves well and knows how to run a power play. The problem? He’s got some flaws, including a tendency to send blind passes into dangerous areas. Constantinou will have the opportunity to turn things around on an improved Frontenacs squad next season.

Grant Silianoff, RW, 18 (Cedar Rapids, USHL – No. 60 NA)
A wrist injury kept him from showcasing his full worth which led to a so-so debut for the top pick in the 2017 USHL draft. However, Silianoff will almost certainly earn draft consideration next summer. He was electric at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup, recording five points in as many games, and finished 13th among U-18 scorers in the USHL. An extra year with the RoughRiders may be what he needs before embarking on his college career at Notre Dame.

Oleg Zaitsev, C 18 (Red Deer, WHL – No. 66 NA)
Zaitsev arrived in North America with plenty of promise after a good season in the MHL. He scored a 43 points in 66 WHL games, but put up just one goal at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup. A strong skater who uses his speed to get him into scoring situations, Zaitsev can get caught watching the play and he’s not great defensively. He can play all forward positions, though, and got more comfortable with the smaller ice as the season wore on. He wins a lot of puck battles and is good at locating his teammates, but he needs to find consistency.

Vojtech Strondala, C, 18 (Kometa Brno, Czech – No. 95 EU)
Whenever Strondala played for the Czech Republic, he was among the best players on the ice. But at 5-foot-7 and 154 pounds, he had a tough time adjusting to the physical game in the top pro league and was often manhandled. In the second-tier Czech League, however, he had the best points per game average (0.7) of any U-18 player despite playing fewer games than many others. His skillset is average, but he saw an overall improvement in his game this season.

Cole MacKay, RW, 18 (Sault Ste. Marie, OHL – No. 99 NA)
Though he joins Gutik as the only other player on The Hockey News’ Draft Preview Top-100 list who wasn’t drafted, MacKay exploded offensively this past season with the Greyhounds and showed chemistry with Morgan Frost and Barrett Hayton, finishing with 61 points in 65 games. That more than eclipsed MacKay’s 14 points the season prior. Mackay is a playmaking winger with a good shot, but he’s not the strongest skater and lacks creativity. There wasn’t much hype surrounding him heading into his OHL career, but he has shown enough promise to warrant a second look if he improves further next season.

Jake Lee, D, 17 (Kelowna, WHL – No. 146 NA)
Lee has had a roller coaster of a junior career since getting picked by Seattle in the first round, 18th overall, in the 2016 WHL draft. The improvements in his game over the past year are noticeable, however. He’s got the size to be a shutdown defenseman, doesn’t lose many battles and rarely puts himself in risky situations. His work ethic is often second to none and he’s not afraid to lay someone out with a big open-ice hit. His skating is below average and his offensive potential is limited, which is the reason teams weren’t willing to take a shot at him.

Xavier Simoneau, C, 18 (Drummondville, QMJHL – No. 204 NA)
Simoneau, standing at a mere 5-foot-6, has the qualities you’d look for in a 6-foot-6 beast. He’s physical, annoying to play against and wins battles along the boards. Oh, and he had 57 points in 55 games with the Voltigeurs. The ninth pick in the 2017 QMJHL draft, Simoneau has everything but the high-end speed you’d hope for from a kid his size.

Dmitri Sheshin, LW, 18 (Magnitogorsk, MHL – Unranked)
Small but energetic, Sheshin finished third among U-18 players in the Russian junior league with 43 points in 45 games. Internationally, it was a different story, as he often found himself in a bottom-six role and rarely contributed. Listed at 5-foot-8 and 143 pounds, size truly proved to be an issue for Sheshin. If he was a few inches taller, he might have gone in the draft.

Making a bet on yourself would seem to make a lot of sense from Nico’s perspective. If I were him I’d hold off until next Summer.

In the real world the player and his agent would be wise to play out a third season and cash in big.

Why do morons say things like "leafs should've signed Mathews and marner last season" as if the players are stupid and have no say in the contracts they sign.
- Njuice

Nothing is guaranteed Nico could very well have a off year he could get injured if he signs an extension he can lock in a decent contract if he doesn’t and has an bad season he will get less

I agree with what most people said here. Ray should try but Nico and his agent will surely wait.

If the contract looks something like 7x7 I'd consider it a huge win. Maybe that's optimistic

Todd Cordell: The New Jersey Devils should extend Nico Hischier sooner than later
- Todd.Cordell

Big fan of Nico! Looks like the next Bergeron in my opinion. I would love an 8 year deal, hopefully in the 6.5-7M area. I agree with you Todd, this team is only getting better, so lets lock down the core before their values jump up.

We should have drafted lemieux

UNDRAFTED GUYS WE COULD HAVE PICKED UP AFTER THE DRAFT

Daniil Gutik, LW, 17 (Loko Yaroslavl, MHL – No. 19 EU)
At No. 69, Gutik was one of only two players in The Hockey News’ Draft Preview Top-100 list to not get drafted. Gutik tore apart the competition with Russia’s U-17 team last season and performed well at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup and World Junior A Challenge, but had an average season in the MHL. Gutik will need to be more consistent if he intends on battling for a spot on Russia’s World Junior Championship team this winter.

Ludvig Hedstrom, D, 18 (Djugardens, Sweden U-20 – No. 36 EU)
Had Los Angeles Kings draft pick Tobias Bjornfot not stolen the spotlight, Hedstrom would have been Djugardens’ top defenseman. A smart blueliner, Hedstrom boasts a mix of speed and physicality and puts plenty of pucks on net. His biggest issue is clearing his own zone, but he’s got intriguing two-way skill and looked good in international play with Sweden. He just needs a chance to show himself as a go-to guy first.

Billy Constantinou, D, 18 (Kingston, OHL – No. 58 NA)
Constantinou did little to help his draft stock after a mid-season move from Niagara, but it’s still surprising a team didn’t take a chance on him. He’s a human highlight reel, moves well and knows how to run a power play. The problem? He’s got some flaws, including a tendency to send blind passes into dangerous areas. Constantinou will have the opportunity to turn things around on an improved Frontenacs squad next season.

Grant Silianoff, RW, 18 (Cedar Rapids, USHL – No. 60 NA)
A wrist injury kept him from showcasing his full worth which led to a so-so debut for the top pick in the 2017 USHL draft. However, Silianoff will almost certainly earn draft consideration next summer. He was electric at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup, recording five points in as many games, and finished 13th among U-18 scorers in the USHL. An extra year with the RoughRiders may be what he needs before embarking on his college career at Notre Dame.

Oleg Zaitsev, C 18 (Red Deer, WHL – No. 66 NA)
Zaitsev arrived in North America with plenty of promise after a good season in the MHL. He scored a 43 points in 66 WHL games, but put up just one goal at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup. A strong skater who uses his speed to get him into scoring situations, Zaitsev can get caught watching the play and he’s not great defensively. He can play all forward positions, though, and got more comfortable with the smaller ice as the season wore on. He wins a lot of puck battles and is good at locating his teammates, but he needs to find consistency.

Vojtech Strondala, C, 18 (Kometa Brno, Czech – No. 95 EU)
Whenever Strondala played for the Czech Republic, he was among the best players on the ice. But at 5-foot-7 and 154 pounds, he had a tough time adjusting to the physical game in the top pro league and was often manhandled. In the second-tier Czech League, however, he had the best points per game average (0.7) of any U-18 player despite playing fewer games than many others. His skillset is average, but he saw an overall improvement in his game this season.

Cole MacKay, RW, 18 (Sault Ste. Marie, OHL – No. 99 NA)
Though he joins Gutik as the only other player on The Hockey News’ Draft Preview Top-100 list who wasn’t drafted, MacKay exploded offensively this past season with the Greyhounds and showed chemistry with Morgan Frost and Barrett Hayton, finishing with 61 points in 65 games. That more than eclipsed MacKay’s 14 points the season prior. Mackay is a playmaking winger with a good shot, but he’s not the strongest skater and lacks creativity. There wasn’t much hype surrounding him heading into his OHL career, but he has shown enough promise to warrant a second look if he improves further next season.

Jake Lee, D, 17 (Kelowna, WHL – No. 146 NA)
Lee has had a roller coaster of a junior career since getting picked by Seattle in the first round, 18th overall, in the 2016 WHL draft. The improvements in his game over the past year are noticeable, however. He’s got the size to be a shutdown defenseman, doesn’t lose many battles and rarely puts himself in risky situations. His work ethic is often second to none and he’s not afraid to lay someone out with a big open-ice hit. His skating is below average and his offensive potential is limited, which is the reason teams weren’t willing to take a shot at him.

Xavier Simoneau, C, 18 (Drummondville, QMJHL – No. 204 NA)
Simoneau, standing at a mere 5-foot-6, has the qualities you’d look for in a 6-foot-6 beast. He’s physical, annoying to play against and wins battles along the boards. Oh, and he had 57 points in 55 games with the Voltigeurs. The ninth pick in the 2017 QMJHL draft, Simoneau has everything but the high-end speed you’d hope for from a kid his size.

Dmitri Sheshin, LW, 18 (Magnitogorsk, MHL – Unranked)
Small but energetic, Sheshin finished third among U-18 players in the Russian junior league with 43 points in 45 games. Internationally, it was a different story, as he often found himself in a bottom-six role and rarely contributed. Listed at 5-foot-8 and 143 pounds, size truly proved to be an issue for Sheshin. If he was a few inches taller, he might have gone in the draft.
- cu45161

I’d sign Xavier Simoneau

7 mil over 8 years. Make sure this kid has a good experience with this contract

We should have drafted lemieux
- shvingter88

(frank) yeah!

7 mil over 8 years. Make sure this kid has a good experience with this contract
- Leniwm1

If I’m Nicos agent I break his fingers before he signs that. A full season with Hall, some Dmen capable of moving the puck and Hughes providing some 2nd line support and Nicos counting totals go up, as do his contract demands.

I love Nico, but even with a breakout season, anything over 7m AAV would be an overpayment. In fact, take away the first overall status and I think people would be pegging his next deal in the 5.5-6m range. He's clearly in line for a big raise from his ELC, but its not as if hes set the league on fire, even if the advanced stats show he's in line for continued improvement. He's an ace defensively, but I don't think anyone is expecting him to start consistently putting up 85+ points a year (and he shouldn't get paid like someone who does).

All of Ray's decisions have been made keeping in mind that they've got to give a bunch of these guys raises soon. If they start moving away from that responsible mentality and handing out crazy contracts, then whats this all been for?

Any agent worth his salt will tell Hischier to wait a year.

A Timo Meier contract would be nice....how did SJ get away with that....

A Timo Meier contract would be nice....how did SJ get away with that....
- redmonsters

Due to his all-star line mates, the kid took a cut. It is a fair contract. I expect Kyle Connor to be similar. Stats are identical.

I love Nico, but even with a breakout season, anything over 7m AAV would be an overpayment. In fact, take away the first overall status and I think people would be pegging his next deal in the 5.5-6m range. He's clearly in line for a big raise from his ELC, but its not as if hes set the league on fire, even if the advanced stats show he's in line for continued improvement. He's an ace defensively, but I don't think anyone is expecting him to start consistently putting up 85+ points a year (and he shouldn't get paid like someone who does).

All of Ray's decisions have been made keeping in mind that they've got to give a bunch of these guys raises soon. If they start moving away from that responsible mentality and handing out crazy contracts, then whats this all been for?
- Cmor11794

Well said

I’d sign Xavier Simoneau
- shvingter88

He's from in my (smurf) village

Considering the farm system doesn't have a lot of talent in it why not take a shot with a couple of undrafted guys?

He's from in my (smurf) village
- Not_Yan

Is he Asian too?

I love Nico, but even with a breakout season, anything over 7m AAV would be an overpayment. In fact, take away the first overall status and I think people would be pegging his next deal in the 5.5-6m range. He's clearly in line for a big raise from his ELC, but its not as if hes set the league on fire, even if the advanced stats show he's in line for continued improvement. He's an ace defensively, but I don't think anyone is expecting him to start consistently putting up 85+ points a year (and he shouldn't get paid like someone who does).

All of Ray's decisions have been made keeping in mind that they've got to give a bunch of these guys raises soon. If they start moving away from that responsible mentality and handing out crazy contracts, then whats this all been for?
- Cmor11794

This kid is our first line center. Every young stud has figured out they have huge bargaining leverage, even as RFA’s. He will sign a 5 year deal, not a 7 or 8. These kids are smart, the new bridge deal gets them to UFA status. Nico is no different, his agent already knows this. Hughes agent already knows this as well, in fact. Ray will play ball and has planned nicely with the cap.

Todd Cordell: The New Jersey Devils should extend Nico Hischier sooner than later
- Todd.Cordell

Most likely garbage made up rumors, but apparently Calg has inquired about Hall. If so, I would be quite ok with:

To Calg: Hall
To NJ: Gaudreau and Lindholm

Those boys are inked on stellar contracts. Not sure if Calg would allow that tho.

Most likely garbage made up rumors, but apparently Calg has inquired about Hall. If so, I would be quite ok with:

To Calg: Hall
To NJ: Gaudreau and Lindholm

Those boys are inked on stellar contracts. Not sure if Calg would allow that tho.
- bikeguy99

No way they do that trade