New Jersey Devils: Winning Lottery Makes Nico Hischier More Important

The New Jersey Devils are going to make the first selection in the NHL Draft for the second time in three years. That makes their former #1 pick even more important.

By now you’ve heard that the New Jersey Devils won the Draft Lottery for the second time in three years. Most people believe that they will select the United States National Development Team center, Jack Hughes. Hughes is compared to guys like Connor McDavid at times and whether that is an exaggeration or not is to be seen, but he is for sure an elite playmaker by all accounts.

If all come true with Hughes’ capabilities, that would do wonders for the Devils other number one pick Nico Hischier. He is more of the two-way, highly-skilled player. A 1-2 center punch of Hughes and Hischier could do wonders for this team. Hilscher’s offense would just be an added bonus if Hughes is as good of a playmaking center as everyone makes him out to be in the NHL.

Hischier is truly capable of getting 70-80 points in a two-way role in the right situation. He showed that in his first two seasons, especially when he had Taylor Hall on his line. His 52 points in 2017-18 were second on the team to Hall. Hischier having less pressure on the offensive part of his game might make the numbers increase as well.

Hughes could also get to a point where he draws the league’s best offensive matchups, which would leave Nico to face lesser competition. It could also work in reverse if Taylor Hall commits long term and Hischier and Hall draws the top matchups, leaving Hughes with the lesser competition. Either way, adding another premier center makes Nico Hischier so much more important than he already was.

You might remember when the Los Angeles Kings were one of the elite teams in the NHL, a time where they won two Stanley Cups in three years including a win over the Devils. Their top two centers were Anze Kopitar and Jeff Carter. Hischier reaching the level of Kopitar and Hughes getting to the level of Carter would be something that could lead to lots of on-ice success for the Devils.

When you look at all of the recent Stanley Cup winners most have great 1-2 center combinations. Kopitar/Carter, Nicklas Backstrom/Evgeny Kuznetsov, and Sidney Crosby/Evgeni Malkin to name a few. It is an important thing to have and the Devils appear to be getting it.

As excited as you should be about Jack Hughes, don’t forget about Hischier. He is just as important to the puzzle as anyone in the organization. Look for Hischier to be motivated in the summer going into next season.