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How Nico Hischier Fits As New Jersey Devils Number One Pick

By Nick Villano

Jun 24, 2016; Buffalo, NY, USA; Michael McCleod greets NHL commissioner Gary Bettman after being selected as the number twelve overall draft pick by the New Jersey Devils in the first round of the 2016 NHL Draft at the First Niagra Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 24, 2016; Buffalo, NY, USA; Michael McCleod greets NHL commissioner Gary Bettman after being selected as the number twelve overall draft pick by the New Jersey Devils in the first round of the 2016 NHL Draft at the First Niagra Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /
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The NHL Draft Lottery came to a shocking conclusion when the New Jersey Devils came out the winner. Now that the team has the top pick, they have a very hard decision to make.

The New Jersey Devils prepare to make its first number one overall pick since they moved to New Jersey in 1982. The choice seems to come down to two players, one of which is Nico Hischier of the Halifax Mooseheads.

There is no doubt he would be great no matter where he lands, but what is his fit with the Devils?

Pros

Hischier went off this past season. In 58 games with the Mooseheads, he scored 38 goals with 86 points. In the World Juniors Tournament in December, his play was better than anyone’s, scoring four goals in five games. That includes two powerplay goals against the United States, who ended up winning the tournament. That incredible play pushed him way up draft boards, ending talk of this being “Nolan Patrick’s draft.”

Sportsnet spoke to team representatives about Hischier, and most of them had great things to say about his intangibles. He plays hard up and down the ice. A unique combination of speed and skill. He’s a player who makes everyone on the ice better just by playing with him.

Thanks to wonky NHL rules, Hischier can go straight to the minors if the Devils think he needs a little more polishing before coming to the big leagues. That may come into consideration.

He is also an elite passer. This shows he not only scores at will, he could help the likes of Taylor Hall, Kyle Palmieri and

While people have been talking about Hischier for years, his name wasn’t tied to the first overall pick until this season. That shows he gets better year after year.

Cons

Having your best year right before the NHL Draft may also be a bad thing. He knew he was playing for something, and he hit it out of the park (a baseball reference in a hockey article?).

He is smaller compared to his counterpart. He is just 6’0 and 179 pounds. Hischier has some growing to do to take the rigors of an NHL season.

To be honest, it is hard to find negatives in Hischier’s game. He plays extremely hard. There have been no locker room issues to speak on. His goal scoring keeps getting better each season.

Fit In New Jersey

Hischier, if chosen number one, may need a year in the AHL that his counterpart could theoretically skip. He needs to add bulk to his body in order to take certain hits he would take on the NHL level. His best position is center, but with the Devils playing Travis Zajac, Adam Henrique and Pavel Zacha already on the NHL roster, he may need to try out wing. Henrique could move to wing, but the center would have to be demonstratively better.

He brings a scoring touch the Devils desperately need. He could bring goals to a team that ranked 28th in the NHL last year in scoring. He’s a definite fit.

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Final Analysis

The big issue with Hischier, is that every time he’s talked about it’s tied to Nolan Patrick. That doesn’t mean that he isn’t worth a pick over him, but it is something to think about.

A poll on Pucks and Pitchforks Twitter page shows Devils fans aren’t sold on Hischier. A slim 26 percent went with him over Patrick, and anyone else they could pick.

His injury history, or lack thereof, definitely helps the debate in his favor. Not only did he play the season for the Mooseheads last year sans injury, he also played in the under 18 World Juniors Tournament for Switzerland and the under-20 World Juniors Tournament. Hischier scored seven points in six QMJHL playoff games. He played his best hockey when it mattered.

The final argument will likely come down to size versus injury history. Can Nico Hischier add 20 pounds to his frame? Can Nolan Patrick stay on the ice? Whoever can prove that question by June 23rd will likely be the next Devils star.

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