1. Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier Hit 60 Points
Jack Hughes is expected to make the jump this season. Whether it’s Devils reporters or national NHL reporters, people think the 2019 first-overall pick is going to realize his potential before his contract expires this year. Does that mean 60 points? 70 points? Heck, maybe it means 80 points. Either way, it’s pretty consensus to think he’s going to have a good year.
Nico Hischier, on the other hand, isn’t getting the same hype. Hischier had a dreadful season last season. Not only did he get injured multiple times in fluke ways, but when he was on the ice, he wasn’t exactly a superstar. He’s in year five of the NHL, and the Devils are expecting more than a 43 point pace.
Hischier is finally going to take that next step this season. He’s got a line that likely won’t get sent into a blender barring an injury to Dawson Mercer. He gets to play with Pavel Zacha and Jesper Bratt from the beginning. Neither of them has had anything derail their offseason like an injury or contract dispute. This should be a great season for all three of them (more on that later).
The added linemates for Hughes and Hischier and the familiarity they have with others will help them both get to a minimum of 60 points. It will be a year of excitement for Devils fans thanks to this fact alone.