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

[NHL Dude 120]

Heres hoping the yotes win the lottery and snag him.

 

[rt]

Heres hoping the yotes win the lottery and snag him.

I sure hope so!

 

[IPreferPi]

Heres hoping the yotes win the lottery and snag him.

Hoping we win the draw for the second overall, as I'm pretty sure that the Yotes will take Patrick if we win the first.

 

[izzy]

Either one

 

[GeNeXt]

Is Couture a good comparison? They both seem to get into good scoring positions and have hockey sense. I haven't watched much of Hischier outside of highlights, but from what I've heard, he's a good skater and Couture is average in that regard, so maybe not. Just when I watch highlights it doesn't really display his skating, more than it shows his ability to get open and go to the net.

 

[swissexpert]

I wouldn't call "getting in scoring positions" his strength.
The u18 WC showed how amazing his hockey sense and awareness of play actually is, he set up his teammates countless times while his legs and explosiveness were clearly gone after a long season.

I'm still not sure what's best for him next season, playing another Junior year and dominate the Q or playing against men in Switzerland (a la Matthews)?
I personally think he wouldn't look out of place in the NHL either, because he thinks defense first. He's not the player that is useless if he doesn't score.

 

[IPreferPi]

I'm still not sure what's best for him next season, playing another Junior year and dominate the Q or playing against men in Switzerland (a la Matthews)?
I personally think he wouldn't look out of place in the NHL either, because he thinks defense first. He's not the player that is useless if he doesn't score.

If it's determined that he was on loan to Halifax, Hischier should be eligible for the AHL too, correct?

 

[lanky]

Switzerland should be out of the question. He faded towards the end of the CHL season because he had never played so many games before. Another season in the NLA won't help with that. CHL or AHL should be the alternatives.

 

[SCBdude]

Switzerland should be out of the question. He faded towards the end of the CHL season because he had never played so many games before. Another season in the NLA won't help with that. CHL or AHL should be the alternatives.

If he stays in NA he can only go back to Halifax. That's why it seems likely that he'll play in Switzerland. I sure hope so.

 

[Speyer]

If he stays in NA he can only go back to Halifax. That's why it seems likely that he'll play in Switzerland. I sure hope so.

Plus between NLA (Including a very likely deep Playoff run), Swiss Cup, Champions Hockey League, WJC, the Olympics and maybe even World Championships he could still get a good amount of games under his belt.

 

[lanky]

If he stays in NA he can only go back to Halifax. That's why it seems likely that he'll play in Switzerland. I sure hope so.

That's only if he's restricted by the CHL-NHL Agreement. Some posters in this thread have claimed that he's exempt because he has a NLA contract.

 

[rt]

My understanding is that he's on loan and is therefore AHL eligible.

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

My understanding is that he's on loan and is therefore AHL eligible.

If this is true, this is a massive "plus" for him to be drafted #1 overall.

 

[93LEAFS]

If this is true, this is a massive "plus" for him to be drafted #1 overall.

It's really a non-issue. He's not at the level that he is drastically above the CHL. If another year helped Drouin or Ehlers (hopefully he takes it more like Ehlers) and guys like Marner then I don't think he's above it. We have such a small sample size of CHL guys entering the AHL early that it's hard to draw firm conclusions. We basically have Honka (who is still an in-betweener) and Alex Nylander.

The amount of times a player is so far above the CHL that it isn't a good development situation but isn't NHL ready is so grossly exaggerated around here it is getting ridiculous.

As for his contractual situation, I'll wait for a big name such as Bob, Lebrun or Friedman to clarify before I start getting a 100% on it.

 

[ijuka]

Well, common sense tells me that a season on an actual NHL development team with coaching designed to develop players for an NHL team and playing against adults is certainly more beneficial than playing on a junior CHL team that has nothing to do with this NHL team. This isn't exactly rocket science to me so it's surprising there are differing opinions.

To me, that certainly is a huge boon but it's still not likely enough to be the dealbreaker to cause him to be picked higher than he should. Then again, at this point he's likely #1OA to me anyway.

 

[93LEAFS]

Well, common sense tells me that a season on an actual NHL development team with coaching designed to develop players for an NHL team and playing against adults is certainly more beneficial than playing on a junior CHL team that has nothing to do with this NHL team. This isn't exactly rocket science to me so it's surprising there are differing opinions.

To me, that certainly is a huge boon but it's still not likely enough to be the dealbreaker to cause him to be picked higher than he should. Then again, at this point he's likely #1OA to me anyway.

Tons of better prospects than Hischier have benefitted from an extra year in the CHL just look at Marner who returned after putting up 2 ppg in his draft year and returned. Ehlers went back. There are tons of examples.

I can't think of a player harmed by going back. In junior you get more ice-time and can try things out at a lower level. It's unlikely Marner is used as a PKer frequently in the AHL or put in defensive situations. Sometimes, moving up too quickly can lead to a player only being used to his strengths, which hurts their ability to round out their game long-term. Because confidence-wise, it would be detrimental to try them in these roles against a higher level of competition.

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

It's really a non-issue. He's not at the level that he is drastically above the CHL. If another year helped Drouin or Ehlers (hopefully he takes it more like Ehlers) and guys like Marner then I don't think he's above it. We have such a small sample size of CHL guys entering the AHL early that it's hard to draw firm conclusions. We basically have Honka (who is still an in-betweener) and Alex Nylander.

The amount of times a player is so far above the CHL that it isn't a good development situation but isn't NHL ready is so grossly exaggerated around here it is getting ridiculous.

As for his contractual situation, I'll wait for a big name such as Bob, Lebrun or Friedman to clarify before I start getting a 100% on it.

Just awesome for the NHL team having that option of NHL, AHL or CHL for a player that young IMO

And agreed, until i hear those big names tweet out information, im not even pretending i know what his contract situation is

 

[CanaFan]

It's really a non-issue. He's not at the level that he is drastically above the CHL. If another year helped Drouin or Ehlers (hopefully he takes it more like Ehlers) and guys like Marner then I don't think he's above it. We have such a small sample size of CHL guys entering the AHL early that it's hard to draw firm conclusions. We basically have Honka (who is still an in-betweener) and Alex Nylander.

The amount of times a player is so far above the CHL that it isn't a good development situation but isn't NHL ready is so grossly exaggerated around here it is getting ridiculous.

As for his contractual situation, I'll wait for a big name such as Bob, Lebrun or Friedman to clarify before I start getting a 100% on it.

Agree and the times when it has been the case (caught between NHL and AHL) it is generally in their D+2 season (if an early birthday), not their D+1.

 

[Fear the Wushu]

Tons of better prospects than Hischier have benefitted from an extra year in the CHL just look at Marner who returned after putting up 2 ppg in his draft year and returned. Ehlers went back. There are tons of examples.

I can't think of a player harmed by going back. In junior you get more ice-time and can try things out at a lower level. It's unlikely Marner is used as a PKer frequently in the AHL or put in defensive situations. Sometimes, moving up too quickly can lead to a player only being used to his strengths, which hurts their ability to round out their game long-term. Because confidence-wise, it would be detrimental to try them in these roles against a higher level of competition.

Can't say I agree with you. In any sport iron sharpens iron, when you play better competition in practice/games you are forced to elevate your game or craft to the next level, plus you learn some new things from more advanced coaches/players. I never understood how dominating lower level competition could do anything but boost a players ego.

Confidence shouldn't be an issue, if a player has any mental toughness they will take the lumps as they go, everyone does, it's part of learning.

 

[93LEAFS]

Can't say I agree with you. In any sport iron sharpens iron when you play better competition in practice/games you are forced to elevate your game to the next level, plus you learn some new things from more advanced coaches/players. I never understood how dominating lower level competition could do anything but boost a players ego.

Confidence shouldn't be an issue, if a player has any mental toughness they will take the lumps as they go, everyone does, it's part of learning.

The thing here is, not all coaches in the AHL are a level above current CHL coaches. Especially, when it comes to player development. You also tend to have slightly more dead-time during the week to work in the gym or practice compared to the AHL bus-grind.

It is the opportunity to do things at a lower level you need to work on, instead of working what you can already succeed at, at a lower level. For example, when the Leafs brought Luke Schenn up from the CHL to play on our NHL defence he was rushed into a shut-down role and never worked on improving his puck skills. Another year of Kelowna may have led to more power play time, where he could focus on improving these skills. Maybe if Alex Nylander is in the CHL this year, Mississauga tasks him with PK duty to help him round out his defensive game, instead of struggling to stay afloat in Rochester as a middle six scorer.

There is no fool proof development plan, each system has its flaws. But, usually, if a player has outgrown the CHL for their draft +1, they are ready to play at the NHL level.

Hischier's well rounded, so he doesn't have these issues to the extent of some of the examples, but he is still on the smaller side for his frame and play-style, so playing a CHL schedule where he has more dead time in the gym than the AHL may be the better option. Staying in the CHL helps players round out their games in areas they are weak in, as they can be exposed to challenging situations without the risk of being overrun. No one expect Alex Nylander to be a penalty killer at the NHL level, but playing it in junior may help him round out his defensive game, Luke Schenn was never going to be a powerplay QB, but playing on the PP in Kelowna could help him round out his defensive game.

 

[ijuka]

Tons of better prospects than Hischier have benefitted from an extra year in the CHL just look at Marner who returned after putting up 2 ppg in his draft year and returned. Ehlers went back. There are tons of examples.

I'm not saying that there's no benefit in doing CHL instead of AHL. But I am saying that doing AHL is very likely better than doing more CHL.

CHL not being useless doesn't make it a better option than AHL when given the choice. The benefits of AHL over CHL are very obvious.


Of course, I have no clue about his contract info so this is mere speculation anyway.

 

[jnk96]

I just love how he can make skating through traffic look effortless while keeping his head up to see a teammate getting open across the slot. This effortlessness and vision are a real treat to watch.

 

[Hockeyisl1fe]

AHL is so overrated as a development platform. The travelling and tight schedule especially are big cons of it. And before someone comes to tell me how good it has been for likes of Pasternak, W. Nylander, Puljujärvi and Rantanen: they all had much more experience of playing against pros before. Someone who would be comparable in Hischier's case is A. Nylander. As some posters have stated earlier; Ehlers' and Marner's route would be ideal for him I think.

 

[jnk96]

AHL is so overrated as a development platform. The travelling and tight schedule especially are big cons of it. And before someone comes to tell me how good it has been for likes of Pasternak, W. Nylander, Puljujärvi and Rantanen: they all had much more experience of playing against pros before. Someone who would be comparable in Hischier's case is A. Nylander. As some posters have stated earlier; Ehlers' and Marner's route would be ideal for him I think.

I would tend to agree here. Also because AHL teams primarily want to win. Sure, they're there as a station in NHL prospects' development, but they are still clubs that want to win. So if they don't see a player being ready for big minutes in the top six, they play him in the bottom six.
Junior teams want to win, too, but NHL-drafted prospects get big minutes there no matter what, simply because they're the best. All while knowing they are playing in a developmental league with the sole purpose to develop talent.

 

[Chuck Downie]

I`d love it if the Flyers could draft him.