New Jersey Devils: Most Important Players For Rest Of The Season
By Nick Villano
Nico Hischier
Another player who’s had an immensely disappointing season for a completely different reason. The Devils made it sound like Nico Hischier could make it back for opening night after a lower-body injury in offseason workouts. He ended up returning on February 20th, and he played well despite the team recovering from a COVID-19 outbreak (in which he was a part of the protocol list). Then, he got hit in the face by a deflected P.K. Subban slapshot.
In all, Hischier has played in 10 games this season. He only has five points, although four of those points are goals. He needs to show he can distribute a little more, but being a goal scorer is a nice surprise. He has 11 games to show he can keep his scoring prowess up.
Some of Hischier’s advanced stats haven’t been great. He has literally no chemistry with anyone on this team. He probably should play with Jesper Bratt for the rest of the season. They once had chemistry, and it’s clear Hischier is playing on the edges with everyone else. Jack Hughes had found his place in this offense. He’s really, really good. Hischier’s place is a little more up in the air.
Hischier just needs to stay in the lineup and play his game. Even if he ends up playing with Nolan Foote and Miles Wood, Hischier has to show he can make anything work. That’s what the team expects from a $7 million play who is now a captain. He doesn’t need to score 30 goals or hit 100 points, but he does have to make the best of his situation.