Today’s guest post was written by C.J. Turturo. You can find him on Twitter @CJTDevil. On September 10th, new Devils assistant coach Mark Recchi had this to say about Nico Hischier on FAN590 (via DevilsInsiders) “I look at him like a Patrice Bergeron, a [Sean] Couturier. He's got a great 200-foot game already. Very responsible. He plays the right way. He plays hard. He's hard on pucks. He's going to be a terrific player”
I always questioned why Nico was touted as a defensive forward. I didn’t see the ability when I watched him on the ice. I was chalking it up to him being young and still learning but now after looking at the numbers and comparisons I see my eyes weren’t deceiving me. Would be nice if he did, especially since I feel he is better suited to the role than Jack Hughes, but I think with Ruff coming in we see Nico and Jacks offense take a step forward rather than defense.
So thankful to have subscribed to you good sir. Enjoying your articles and writing . Can't wait for the season to start again.... even if we are not that good it, I still miss Devil's hockey.
I gave some comps in the piece, but I'll admit they're in a throwaway sentence in the middle lol. The impact he has on the game is most similar to that of playmaking wingers like Huberdeau and Gaudreau. Excellent in transition, drawing penalties, and creating chances in the OZ.
A provocative way of phrasing this is that people think he's Toews, but he's actually Kane. Kane rakes on the PP so his early-career numbers look gaudier, but at even-strength, here is each of their first 3 seasons in Goals/Assists/Points per 82 games.
Nico: 19/27/46 ; 17/26/43 ; 16/18/34
Kane: 14/30/44 ; 12/24/36; 21/37/58
Also remember, in Kane's 3rd season, he was on a Stanley Cup team, and Nico was ... not on a Stanley Cup team.
Hey appreciate the reply, CJ. That all makes sense, and definitely interesting to see the comparison numbers between Nico & Kane. I certainly like the prospect of having a "(current and) future Patrick Kane" on the Devils!
Well written article with a unique take. Great post guys, keep em coming!
I always questioned why Nico was touted as a defensive forward. I didn’t see the ability when I watched him on the ice. I was chalking it up to him being young and still learning but now after looking at the numbers and comparisons I see my eyes weren’t deceiving me. Would be nice if he did, especially since I feel he is better suited to the role than Jack Hughes, but I think with Ruff coming in we see Nico and Jacks offense take a step forward rather than defense.
So thankful to have subscribed to you good sir. Enjoying your articles and writing . Can't wait for the season to start again.... even if we are not that good it, I still miss Devil's hockey.
Fantastic, insightful, and illuminating article. But you kind of leave us hanging. How should we consider him instead?
If he’s been falsely advertised as a “future Selke winner,” how would you market him moving forward. “Nico is a (current and) future ____”?
I gave some comps in the piece, but I'll admit they're in a throwaway sentence in the middle lol. The impact he has on the game is most similar to that of playmaking wingers like Huberdeau and Gaudreau. Excellent in transition, drawing penalties, and creating chances in the OZ.
A provocative way of phrasing this is that people think he's Toews, but he's actually Kane. Kane rakes on the PP so his early-career numbers look gaudier, but at even-strength, here is each of their first 3 seasons in Goals/Assists/Points per 82 games.
Nico: 19/27/46 ; 17/26/43 ; 16/18/34
Kane: 14/30/44 ; 12/24/36; 21/37/58
Also remember, in Kane's 3rd season, he was on a Stanley Cup team, and Nico was ... not on a Stanley Cup team.
Hey appreciate the reply, CJ. That all makes sense, and definitely interesting to see the comparison numbers between Nico & Kane. I certainly like the prospect of having a "(current and) future Patrick Kane" on the Devils!