So many things going on under Ray Shero’s watch. The New Jersey Devils GM is looking to stabilize the near and long term of this roster from drafting, trading, and free agency to bolster this team. Once the Tom Fitzgerald style of hockey strategy is implemented, and well proven coaches come to this organization, this will a lot better.
Having many recent additions after this summer like Nikita Gusev and P.K. Subban. It’s a huge plus having Nico Hischier currently locked in for seven-plus seasons starting next season. Take note that this isn’t just all about Hischier, but also a huge benefit to having him along side Jack Hughes and company.
One of the most important things about this extension is this means Hischier is here for the long haul. This long-term extension means he is totally committed to being in New Jersey and being able to build chemistry with guys like Hughes. Back when Ray Shero was in Pittsburgh, he had the benefit of having a stable three lines of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Jordan Staal.
HIschier is a very skilled two-way center that can skate very smoothly like Nicklas Backstrom, and play like a Pavel Datsyuk when it comes to capitalizing on takeaways. If Jack Hughes currently picks up more points over the next several weeks, this is a good thing for Nico Hischier. Nico can focus on being an integral cog in the Devils top six.
As long as Ray Shero is still at the helm, he will have an opportunity to find the right coaches to build around Hischier and Hughes. Having them progress as veterans that can both score more will make it harder for teams to beat either line. Once Jack Hughes begins to click more this season and the next few, fans will see how dangerous these two centers will become.
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Hischier says he added six-plus pounds worth of muscle this summer. that will make him a tough forward that will be harder to defend. Seeing Hischier building his year-round routine will also be something that Jack Hughes should implement from his 170 pound frame. Nico Hischier is a really great leader on the ice and he might not be the loudest guy, but his actions speak for himself.
Having Hischier locked up long term means Ray Shero gets a clearer picture of how to spend on future salary caps. Regardless how much the cap goes up, our GM can find what players to reallocate Joshua Harris and David Blitzer’s money to. Seeing how patient ownership is with Ray Shero building this roster now has to translate.
Seeing Hischier locked up this long provides the better certainty and the possibility of winning Lord Stanley’s Cup during his tenure here. We all know Nico Hischier is day to day with an injury, but he’s gonna come back strong. Hischier is a very determined player and you can see that from his Devils tenure now, and to his times playing major junior in Halifax with the Mooseheads, and suiting up several times for Switzerland. This past summer Nico put on a scoring clinic in the IIHF Mens Tournament in Slovakia showing that he not only can be playmaker but also a pretty good sniper.