New Jersey Devils: 5 Ways To Survive Without Jack Hughes and Dougie Hamilton

2. No More Excuses From Nico Hischier

Nico Hischier deserved some excuses to start the season. He was creating chances, but his wingers weren’t burying them. He was getting chances up close, but the opposing goalie made an insane save. There were places where he looked like one of the best players on the ice, but the finishing just wasn’t there. No more excuses. Hischier needs to lead this team like a first-overall pick. Maybe he’s worried about playing like a captain. Don’t worry about it. Drive offense. Be selfish. Do whatever it takes to put the puck in the net.

The 22-year-old has 1 goal and 2 assists in 8 games. He’s on pace to score 30 points. That’s unacceptable. He needs to be much, much closer to double that. It’s still early, and players go through scoring slumps, but there is no evidence he can break out of it.

Hischier has 91 points in 258 career games. That’s about .35 points per game or a 29 point pace over 82 games. That is just unacceptable from the Devils captain. He’s supposed to be a 60-point player by now. He needs to be. No more injury excuses, or complaining about his linemates.

Hischier needs to show the offensive upside he showed his rookie year, which is now four seasons ago. 20 goals and 40 assists are the minimum acceptable number from his this season. Start scoring Hischier. Start setting up teammates where they have no choice but to score. It’s time to get the Hischier we expect now that he’s the star of the forward group.