The New Jersey Devils are in a situation that looks worse from the outside. Nico Hischier is up for a contract extension on July 1st, with one more year left on the extension he signed with Ray Shero seven years ago. Some were worried about what might happen with Hischier. In the nine seasons since Hischier joined the Devils, he has made the playoffs three times. He’s seen seven playoff wins total. Nine teams have seven playoff wins this season.
Very quietly, Hischier scored four goals in five games against the Carolina Hurricanes last season in the playoffs. He stepped up in a huge way with the rest of the team basically limping on and off the ice. It’s clear that Hischier wants to play on a playoff team, but the question is whether Hischier thinks the Devils under new GM Sunny Mehta can become that perennial contender.Â
And that’s the crux of this argument. Many say that Hischier will want out because the Devils haven’t been contenders. Tom Fitzgerald made mistake after mistake, and now, Mehta is forced to clean up the mess. But Hischier has an out. After one season, he can go to free agency.Â
It would cost him 10s of millions of dollars if he chose to sign a max contract. Because of the new CBA, Hischier is eligible to sign with a team right now for up to eight years. If he went to free agency next year, he’d only be eligible for a six-year deal.
That might be just fine with the Devils’ captain. The latest report states that Hischier is happy with a medium-term contract.Â
And that has teams like the Montreal Canadiens and Minnesota Wild at least poking around on Hischier’s availability. Mehta is a new GM, and Hischier’s contract is at the top of his list. If they can’t figure it out in July, it might be better to trade him.Â
Nico Hischier could be a conduit to a better deal for the New Jersey Devils
All the recent reports point to an extension as the most likely option. So Mehta should take advantage of all of the extended attention. He should talk to Montreal about a different deal. They are in good shape on the right side of the defense, but they really need an upgrade on the left side. They would likely be interested in Brenden Dillon if he were available.Â
And if the Los Angeles Kings call? We see your interest in Hischier and raise you some interest in Simon Nemec.Â
The Devils should take these calls and find different deals. We appreciate your interest in Hischier. We’ll have to decline your (most likely) underwhelming offer and switch it to a different player.
For a team to make an offer on Hischier, they have to show what they are willing to make available. Would the Canadiens move Alex Newhook? Could the Devils get Quintin Byfield from LA?Â
These conversations could have extended value to Mehta, and he should squeeze them while he has this desirable asset who isn’t eligible to move.Â
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