There seems to be something missing from Nico Hischier’s game.
The New Jersey Devils know that Nico Hischier is an amazing player and one that is a key piece to the future of the franchise. People who don’t follow the Devils that closely probably think he’s not that good compared to other number-one overall picks. Other number-one picks like Auston Matthews and Connor McDavid have lit the league on fire offensively since the minute they started. Just because Hischier’s offense isn’t superstar level yet, don’t count him out as an overall player.
There is no doubt that it would be nice to see Hischier have an increase in point production. Every part of his game is improving, but the offensive numbers as a whole need to improve. One of the big problems for a player like Hischier is the unrealistic expectations guys like McDavid and Matthews have placed on the following number-one overall picks. Those guys are in a different class and that is okay.
One thing that would really help Hischier’s offensive production is the power play. He hasn’t had the opportunity on the man advantage. As a number-one pick, you would think that the coaches would believe that he is a guy who deserves top power-play minutes. He gets some time but never with the linemates that you would want to see with Hischier. Taylor Hall had more time out there with guys like Jesper Bratt and Kyle Palmieri.
The best place that Hischier can be placed on the power play would have to be as a net-front man. He has great hands down low and on missed opportunities, and he can win puck battles because he works for 50/50 pucks as good as any player in the league. He also has a pretty nice ability to tip pucks so that would serve well in that role as well.
In Hischier’s three year NHL career, he has only scored six power-play goals with 21 power-play assists for a total of 27 power-play points. That number coming up would absolutely increase his overall point total. If he gets 45-55 even strength points a season (which he already does on average) and adds in 25-35 power-play points, we are talking about a 70-80 point player. He is one of the most efficient even-strength scorers so adding in that extra element would put him over the edge into superstardom.
The biggest reason to believe it will happen is the new coaches. Lindy Ruff is an offensive-minded head coach and they have Mark Recchi to run the power play. Both of them should be able to help Hischier (and others) score in all areas of their games.