C Nico Hischier - Halifax Mooseheads, QMJHL (2017, 1st, NJD) II

[Jean Luc Discard]

So you've never watched him. He's likely one of the smartest players in the CHL and it's pretty blatantly obvious if you watch him even in just one game. His hockey IQ is easily high-end even if he was playing at the pro level.

Seen enough. After seeing how Yakupov looked like on the ice as a prospect and how they were advertised, this is eerily familiar territory.

 

[Patmac40]

Seen enough. After seeing how Yakupov looked like on the ice as a prospect and how they were advertised, this is eerily familiar territory.

Except Nico is a centre, a few inches taller, much more defensively advanced than Yakupov ever has been, all-around stronger hockey sense in each zone, and generates a lot more offense than just off the rush which Yakupov has struggled to do at the next level. They really aren't all that comparable.

 

[Jean Luc Discard]

Except Nico is a centre, a few inches taller, much more defensively advanced than Yakupov ever has been, all-around stronger hockey sense in each zone, and generates a lot more offense than just off the rush which Yakupov has struggled to do at the next level. They really aren't all that comparable.

That maybe so but for me that still doesn't change the outlook. For instance, Nico is being advertised as an "excellent shooter" but where's proof of that? Besides of five-holes, half-empty netters, couple of power moves and some wraparounds... not a lot of quality shots that would inconclusively determine that he's an excellent shooter. Like Yakupov was advertised as a possible playmaker too because he made a pass or two in his prospect years. Nico could be an excellent shooter but there's not a lot of evidence of that.

 

[landy92mack29]

have you watched him play? to compare him to Huberdeau makes me wonder if you watched him, that would be like comparing John Tavares to Johnny Gaudreau they are they different of players, I will say he is better than Huberdeau and better than Duchene at the same age....Huberdeau is great with the puck, very exciting to watch but Hischier is more complete, he is a wayyyy faster skater, harder worker, willing to go into trouble areas and excellent two way ability to go with great leadership qualities, Duchene has the speed but I find not the amazing skills to go with the speed, Hischier has that amazing skill. SO again to see people say I feel he is like a Huberdeau shows no viewing of him...... I personally think he needs another year of junior and if brought right up to the bigs next year I think he will have a hard time working on what he needs to but he will be a guy who will prove a lot of people wrong.....

I would take him in a heart beat over Strome, Hischier would blow past and out work him on the ice to go along with amazing skills.

A few factors on players who never turn out when they are hyped in junior is usually work away from the rink they invest and work ethic on the ice and this guy has both of those things to go with his skill, IMO it will be hard for him to fail.

You're really overrating him. His 2-way game isn't that good really. He's a hard worker and back checks hard but gets lost in the defensive zone a lot, doesn't tie guys up or block shots and he leaves the zone early to try and create offense which lead to prime scoring chances for the opponent when the puck doesn't get out of the zone. I highly doubt he'll be able to stick as a center in the NHL but will be a solid winger. I'm not in the room so I don't know but he doesn't strike me as a leader.

 

[LarrysMustache]

That maybe so but for me that still doesn't change the outlook. For instance, Nico is being advertised as an "excellent shooter" but where's proof of that? Besides of five-holes, half-empty netters, couple of power moves and some wraparounds... not a lot of quality shots that would inconclusively determine that he's an excellent shooter. Like Yakupov was advertised as a possible playmaker too because he made a pass or two in his prospect years. Nico could be an excellent shooter but there's not a lot of evidence of that.

yakupov = no hockey sense, individual plays and dipsy doodles.

hischier = fundamently sound all around hockey player.

your argument goes down as quickly as david desharnais on a board battle

 

[Jean Luc Discard]

yakupov = no hockey sense, individual plays and dipsy doodles.

hischier = fundamently sound all around hockey player.

your argument goes down as quickly as david desharnais on a board battle

I don't think that's what they said about Yak on his draft year. More like "the next Ovechkin/Bure".

 

[93LEAFS]

have you watched him play? to compare him to Huberdeau makes me wonder if you watched him, that would be like comparing John Tavares to Johnny Gaudreau they are they different of players, I will say he is better than Huberdeau and better than Duchene at the same age....Huberdeau is great with the puck, very exciting to watch but Hischier is more complete, he is a wayyyy faster skater, harder worker, willing to go into trouble areas and excellent two way ability to go with great leadership qualities, Duchene has the speed but I find not the amazing skills to go with the speed, Hischier has that amazing skill. SO again to see people say I feel he is like a Huberdeau shows no viewing of him...... I personally think he needs another year of junior and if brought right up to the bigs next year I think he will have a hard time working on what he needs to but he will be a guy who will prove a lot of people wrong.....

I would take him in a heart beat over Strome, Hischier would blow past and out work him on the ice to go along with amazing skills.

A few factors on players who never turn out when they are hyped in junior is usually work away from the rink they invest and work ethic on the ice and this guy has both of those things to go with his skill, IMO it will be hard for him to fail.

I haven't seen him live, but have watched him multiple times and talked to people who have scouted him in person in a professional capacity. I think he's a Huberdeau level prospect, not that he is an exact replica of him.

We disagree on what level of prospect he is. I don't think he's a franchise player level talent, or that is his likely outcome. I don't think he has a higher offensive upside than Dylan Strome.

You claim he will be better than most recent 1st overalls? Who exactly do you think him and Patrick will be better than. I see Yakupov and probably RNH, but outside of that, I think you have to go back to EJ to see a player they clearly project to be better than.

 

[LarrysMustache]

I don't think that's what they said about Yak on his draft year. More like "the next Ovechkin/Bure".

one dimensional individual player. if hes good enough, skill translates else he'll flop. thats exactly what the consensus was. EVERYONE knew he had limited hockey sense but offered the best upside on a extremely thin forward draft.

There is no denying hischier hockey sense

 

[Jean Luc Discard]

one dimensional individual player. if hes good enough, skill translates else he'll flop. thats exactly what the consensus was. EVERYONE knew he had limited hockey sense but offered the best upside on a extremely thin forward draft.

There is no denying hischier hockey sense

Incorrect, but to each his/her own.

 

[LarrysMustache]

Incorrect, but to each his/her own.

consensus cant be incorrect. you just gave up your argument. Understandable since you were totally of base but still, you cant just give up like ovy on a back check

 

[Fantomas]

Hischier looked better at the WJC at 17 than Yakupov did at 19.

 

[93LEAFS]

Anyone who has Rogers cable (or has TSN on demand), TSN is loading all Canada games in the U-18 to there On-Demand channel. I haven't checked out the Switzerland game (or seen if it is loaded) but so far Slovakia vs Canada and Latvia vs Canada are up. Good chance to check out Cody Glass and Nico Hischier if you haven't already.

 

[lawrence]

need a moosehead fan to answer this.

was his icetime on average around 24 minutes a game? might explain his tiredness right now.

but anyone know his average ice time this season? I recall Ehlers was like 23 min per game in his draft year.

 

[Tube Skates]

need a moosehead fan to answer this.

was his icetime on average around 24 minutes a game? might explain his tiredness right now.

but anyone know his average ice time this season? I recall Ehlers was like 23 min per game in his draft year.

Ya he played a lot. The Moosehead team always pushes play so they draw a ton of penalties. They also find themselves in the box a lot as well. Hischier most nights would probably average between 6-8 minutes a night on special teams alone. I personally don't think fatigue was an issue for him this year. He played game in and game out with the same intensity. Through October and November the whole team was getting a lot of puck luck. Hischier was Johnny on the spot on many occasions. It was like watching someone with a shooting percentage of 25%. You knew it just couldn't last. He's still playing the same and that's very good. To many people are just watching the stats. They think that's all that matters to be a good prospect.

 

[lanky]

Nico played a great game today. Work ethic is incredible.

 

[Enel]

How big is the gap between Hischier, Middelstadt and Glass?

 

[Constable]

You're really overrating him. His 2-way game isn't that good really. He's a hard worker and back checks hard but gets lost in the defensive zone a lot, doesn't tie guys up or block shots and he leaves the zone early to try and create offense which lead to prime scoring chances for the opponent when the puck doesn't get out of the zone. I highly doubt he'll be able to stick as a center in the NHL but will be a solid winger. I'm not in the room so I don't know but he doesn't strike me as a leader.

Being a leader makes a **** all difference when it comes to being a good player, Landy.

And I trust Scoutman with anything from the Q; and from what I saw I can back it up.

 

[Constable]

consensus cant be incorrect. you just gave up your argument. Understandable since you were totally of base but still, you cant just give up like ovy on a back check

Consensus can be incorrect but he's clearly blowing hot air

 

[JA]

Hischier looked absolutely drained at the World U18 Championships. His legs weren't there at all.

Even though he scored a goal against Team USA today, he wasn't able to use his speed sufficiently to close distance on opponents, hustle to loose pucks, or create separation with the puck like he usually can. I've watched many of his matches, and today was his least impressive performance. If Kurashev and Eggenberger could have converted a few of the perfect passes given to them by Hischier around the net, this game would have been much different. That said, what was most different between Hischier at this tournament and in the past was his lack of ability to create as much individually here or take charge on his own. He looked tired throughout the event; hence, he lacked his usual speed and power.

With the Mooseheads, Nico was often allowed to take the puck end-to-end from his own zone. We didn't see any of the transition game today; instead, his defencemen were tasked with the breakout, but they often took far too long to move the puck. Whether or not Team Switzerland's coach implemented this futile breakout system, Hischier did not play at all like he usually does.

That said, he remained one of Team Switzerland's best players. He contributed to 6 of Team Switzerland's 11 goals in the tournament (54.5%).

 

[Grantham]

What impressed me a lot about him was his commitment to defensive play. He looked like a third defencemen most of the night, and was setting up plays all night to no avail. Could tell his legs were gassed as you said, so he was using his vision and passing more. Jaw dropping play was when he was last man back and prevented a breakaway pass the other way by intercepting it mid air (knee height I think). Game was hanging by a thread in the 3rd and a tie game.

Such a complete player. I think he goes No.1 for sure.

 

[lawrence]

Hischier looked absolutely drained at the World U18 Championships. His legs weren't there at all.

Even though he scored a goal against Team USA today, he wasn't able to use his speed sufficiently to close distance on opponents, hustle to loose pucks, or create separation with the puck like he usually can. I've watched many of his matches, and today was his least impressive performance. If Kurashev and Eggenberger could have converted a few of the perfect passes given to them by Hischier around the net, this game would have been much different. That said, what was most different between Hischier at this tournament and in the past was his lack of ability to create as much individually here or take charge on his own. He looked tired throughout the event; hence, he lacked his usual speed and power.

With the Mooseheads, Nico was often allowed to take the puck end-to-end from his own zone. We didn't see any of the transition game today; instead, his defencemen were tasked with the breakout, but they often took far too long to move the puck. Whether or not Team Switzerland's coach implemented this futile breakout system, Hischier did not play at all like he usually does.

That said, he remained one of Team Switzerland's best players. He contributed to 6 of Team Switzerland's 11 goals in the tournament (54.5%).

I think, his massive amount of ice time during his regular season drained him. If they paced him at 18 minutes of ice time per game, just like any top line forward he would have been fine.

 

[jonas2244]

Hischier won't play at the World Championship. Although the coaches think he'd be ready to do so and could contribute they think he needs a rest after this season and that this summer is so important for him and his future that he needs some holidays before preparing for the draft and the next season.

 

[bolt thrower]

Hischier won't play at the World Championship. Although the coaches think he'd be ready to do so and could contribute they think he needs a rest after this season and that this summer is so important for him and his future that he needs some holidays before preparing for the draft and the next season.

Good choice. Give the kid some rest, he deserves it. He will only get better once he recharged his batteries.

 

[jnk96]

your argument goes down as quickly as david desharnais on a board battle

you cant just give up like ovy on a back check

Let's just take a second to appreciate these comparisons.

 

[JA]

http://thechronicleherald.ca/sports/1461908-hischier-welcomes-break-from-hockey

Hischier welcomes break from hockey
JOHN MACNEIL
Published April 21, 2017 - 5:07pm

After a long season, Nico Hischier is going home.

...

“It’s always good after a long season to just free your head, do something else, not just hockey,” Hischier said from Slovakia, where the Swiss lost 4-2 to Team USA in a Thursday quarter-final.

“It sounds hard, but it feels good. I think every player needs that (break). It’s good to go on vacation and just relax for a couple of days.”

...

After a prolific Mooseheads season that saw him named QMJHL rookie of the year, Hischier stepped into his third world under-18 championship.

“I think it was a great week,” he said of reuniting with his Swiss mates. “We have a nice group of guys here. It was fun to play with those guys. But now the season is over, or the tournament is over. So I will have a little break, for sure, and then I will see what happens next.”

Although there was speculation Hischier would join Switzerland’s entry in the world men’s championship next month at France, Swiss national teams director Raeto Raffainer ruled out that possibility Friday.

“It would be too much for Hischier if he prolonged his season and played the world championship for us,” said Raffainer, who didn’t doubt that the young star could still adapt to playing among men.

...

Now well-versed in English for those looming interviews with NHL teams and media, Hischier’s season in Halifax was a period of professional and personal growth.

“It was a great experience from the beginning till the end,” he said. “I learned a lot this year. I improved myself as a hockey player (with the Mooseheads). Just a great organization. I had great teammates and they helped me a lot. I’m becoming a better hockey player every year.”

...

“It made me older, being away from home, away from the parents, meeting new friends and experiencing a new culture,” he said. “Everything is different — a new lifestyle. It’s for sure, at the beginning, a little bit weird. But now, I’m getting older quicker.”

After his final world under-18 championship, Hischier was chosen as one of Switzerland’s top three players in the tournament, along with defenceman Simon Le Coultre of the Moncton Wildcats and HC Davos forward Nando Eggenberger.

His prominence in the coming draft proceedings will shorten Hischier’s summer vacation, but he still hopes to make the most of the off-season.

“I think it’s going to be gorgeous in Switzerland,” he said.

“We have a lot of sun in the summer. I will go on vacation there, and it’s going to be hot. I can relax there.”