2. Nico Hischier can reach 80 points
Nico Hischier has had a tremendous season for the New Jersey Devils.
The New Jersey Devils see Jack Hughes get a lot of praise for how he has played this season, and rightfully so. However, Nico Hischier has been just as valuable. He isn’t as spectacular on offense as Jack Hughes, but he is still above average in that department.
He is currently sitting on 79 points, so he can reach that 80-point milestone for the first time in his career with one point. Obviously, that would be really good for him and his confidence moving forward. 80 points for a player is about how they become considered All-Star caliber in terms of scoring.
By collecting all of these points, he is one of the best two-way forwards in the league because he is equally as effective as a defensive-minded centerman. With all of these points, underlying defensive metrics, faceoff wins, and more, he should be considered for the Selke Trophy.
Although it shouldn’t, you’d think that getting up to 80 points would help his case as they look at that. He also deserves lots of credit for how well he’s played this season because the Devils would not be where they were without him.
He is everything they’ve expected and more since being selected first overall in the 2017 NHL Draft. The cool thing is that he is just getting started. If a 120-point season is in Jack’s future, there could absolutely be a 100-point season in Hischier’s future.