New Jersey Devils: Where Does History Suggest Nico Hischier’s Career Is Headed?
The Outperformers
Disclaimer
Powerplay work inflated all of these players’ stats. However, a superstar’s game is not complete until they learn to dominate on the powerplay. Nico Hischier only scored 1 powerplay goal and 5 powerplay assists, whereas these players generally collected a significant portion of their points on the powerplay. Granted, it is easier to score on the powerplay, but you have to first earn the right to play on the powerplay and then score on the powerplay. And besides, a goal is a goal is a goal. Therefore, I will not distinguish between even-strength and powerplay production.
(Photo by Scott Cunningham/NHLI via Getty Images)
Ilya Kovalchuk
Kovalchuk, who later in his career played for (and then ditched) the Devils, started off his dazzling career with a bang. Despite missing 17 matches to a shoulder injury, Kovalchuk racked up 29 goals and 22 assists, good for a 37 goal, 28 assist full-season pace. Kovalchuk played for 12 years in the NHL before hopping to Russia, averaging 42 goals and 40 helpers per 82 games.
(Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images)
Alex Ovechkin
From the very beginning, it was clear that Alex Ovechkin was something special. The Russian superstar tallied 52 goals and 54 assists in his first campaign. Ovechkin foreshadowed his powerplay prowess with 21(!) powerplay goals and 31 powerplay assists, in addition to shouldering heavy minutes from day one with 21:37 mean TOI (Hischier averaged 16:19 TOI). Ovechkin finished sixth in Hart Trophy voting that go-round and has gone on to claim the Hart Trophy (awarded to the most valuable player) three times already in his illustrious career. To complement the three Hart Trophies are seven Maurice Richard Trophies (given to the top goal-scorer), including one this past year, and a Stanley Cup ring. Ovechkin averages 50 goals and 37 assists per 82 contests. Enough said.
(Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images)
Sidney Crosby
While Alex Ovechkin may have Crosby beat in terms of individual accomplishments, Crosby captained the Penguins to three Stanley Cups. He also managed an astounding 39 goals and 61 assists in his opening season. For comparison, Taylor Hall buried 39 goals and 54 assists when he won the Hart Trophy this year (albeit in 5 fewer games than Crosby). Sidney Crosby has since cemented his legacy as one of the top players ever, securing two Hart Trophies, two Art Ross Trophies (presented to the top point-scorer), two Conn Smythes (granted to the playoff MVP), and two Maurice Richard Trophies. If Hischier can come close to Crosby’s excellence, the Devils will be beyond thrilled.
(Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)
Connor McDavid
Labeled the best prospect since Sidney Crosby, McDavid battled injuries in his rookie season, playing just 45 matches, but still flashed his out-of-this-world potential. McDavid notched 16 goals and 32 assists, good for a 29 goal, 58 assist pace. McDavid followed that up with 71 goals and 137 helpers in his next two campaigns, landing a Hart Trophy, two Art Ross Trophies, and two Ted Lindsay Awards (given to the player voted most outstanding by his peers).
(Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Auston Matthews
Auston Matthews notched 40 goals and 29 assists as a rookie, including a four-goal debut. A center with a big frame and soft hands, Matthews’ has a blindingly bright career in front of him, and appears well on his way towards becoming a top-three talent in the NHL.