Tyler Dellow of The Athletic wrote a really good piece about Mathew Barzal and Brock Boeser and the Calder race yesterday. The gist of it was that you can’t just automatically discredit secondary assists, especially in Barzal’s case.
This isn’t specifically about Dellow’s article, but more about the overall Calder conversation. I’ve even written about Nico and the Calder previously. Nico Hischier has been a massive part of this New Jersey Devils’ team, centering the first line all year. However, he’s mostly forgotten in Calder conversations simply based off his lack of powerplay production. As anyone who’s watched the Devils this year knows though that’s less on Hischier and more about being the only real scoring threat on the second unit.
I don’t think its fair to throw out powerplay numbers in an award race, and I think Boeser deserves ton’s of credit because the year he’s had in Vancouver has been remarkable but I think Nico deserves more appreciation.
Before we get too into it, I think it’s also important to look at this race similarly to the Hart. Taylor Hall has gotten Hart appreciation based off his lack of a supporting cast outside of Hischier.
Nico vs Boeser at 5v5
Here’s Nico vs Boeser from @billius27. Boeser is obviously a massive contributor on the PP but it still blows my mind that Nico gets little to no Calder talk. pic.twitter.com/BnVHWagns5
— Tyler Kelley (@DocKelley41) March 8, 2018
Using the SKATR tool from Bill Comeau (@billius27), one can clearly see the impact Nico has at 5v5. For perspective, Nico’s 5v5 P/60 and P1/60 rates are better than Boeser’s. Hischer undoubtedly has the boost of playing with Taylor Hall, but he’s still a 19 year old first line center.
Here’s another Nico viz. This one from @CJTDevil. His impact in the Devils transition game is insane and those shot assist numbers are beautiful. pic.twitter.com/3pN0S8fLjm
— Tyler Kelley (@DocKelley41) March 8, 2018
More from Pucks and Pitchforks
- Should New Jersey Devils Try Load Management With Vitek Vanecek?
- New Jersey Devils Will Prove That Last Year Wasn’t A Fluke
- New Jersey Devils: Luke Hughes’ Playmaking Will Outshine His Mistakes
- New Jersey Devils: Chase Stillman’s Performance Causes Concern
- Can Devils Fans Separate Zach Parise Heartbreak From Achievements?
This viz from CJ Turtoro (@CJTDevil) compares zone exits and zone entries as well as shot contributions for Boeser and Hischier. (CJ also went really in depth in comparing Nico to fellow rookies and the NHL and it’s a great read) It’s pretty much what you’d expect for Hischier, he passes more than he shots, and who wouldn’t with Taylor Hall on their wing. The same can be said for Boeser, he’s shown he has an elite shot and he shoots a ton because of it.
What’s most notable here is how large of an impact Nico has on the Devils transition game. Boeser’s numbers are good but Nico, a 19 year old rookie, clearly has a massive impact in the transition game for the Devils. He ranks towards the top of the league in both possession entries and exits per 60. That’s incredible for a 19 year old rookie centering your first line.
I’m not here to say Nico Hischier should win the Calder Trophy. I personally think Barzal has that locked up. I’m just here to point out how great of a year Nico is having at 5v5. Given an increased powerplay role next year I’d expect Hischier’s point totals would increase substantially and he’ll get the appreciation he deserves.
Fellow #1 Picks
Here’s your super fancy (not) excel side by side of Nico with some other notable #1 picks in their rookie years. pic.twitter.com/StIdUG3S02
— Tyler Kelley (@DocKelley41) March 8, 2018
Now that we’ve looked at Hischier vs. fellow rookies this year, we can look at how he stacks up against other #1 picks in their rookie years. We’ve done this before, and again Nico stacks up favorably.
Connor McDavid is the best player of the group no matter how you slice it. That should come as a surprise to no one. What may be surprising to some is how well Nico compares to Auston Matthews. He certainly doesn’t shoot or score as much as Matthews, but his P1/60 is only .02 behind Matthews.
Nico has certainly benefited from playing alongside Taylor Hall, but you can’t discredit his production as a rookie. Nico didn’t automatically step into his role, either. He earned his time as the first line center on this team and continues to earn it on a daily basis.
It’s not easy being a first line center in the NHL, but Nico has excelled in that role this year and is a huge part of why the Devils are holding a playoff spot right now. Taylor Hall may be dragging this team along, but Nico is right alongside him.