New Jersey Devils: 5 Bold Predictions For 2022-23 Season
By Nick Villano
Prediction #3: Nico Hischier Plays 80+ Games
The New Jersey Devils captain is a critical part of this team’s plans. Going down the middle with Hughes, Hischier, Erik Haula, and then whoever plays the fourth line puts them in a formidable position. Replacing Hischier with Dawson Mercer or Jesper Boqvist in the lineup is quite the drop off.
That’s why it became so shocking when Hischier’s bout with cramps turned into a stint on the IR. However, Hischier skated with the team on Tuesday, and he’s still considered day-to-day. He did not like when someone asked about being injury prone, but that motivation will show its face this season.
Hischier might have gotten off to a rocky start, but that won’t bleed into the season. Hischier is going to be the leader of this team. He may be 23 years old, but he’s been around this team now for six seasons. He is one of the few players who knows what it’s like to play playoff hockey in New Jersey. There’s a need to make it back to the postseason with this roster. Hischier is going to put everything on the line to play every night.
Heck, Hischier might play in game one. The Devils are traveling to the City of Brotherly Love to take on the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday night. If Hischier misses that game, he will be in the game for the home opener on Saturday.