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

[ProspectsSTC]

Didn't you just confidently say in another thread that Patrick would be the first overall pick?

 

[SportsDaily]

Didn't you just confidently say in another thread that Patrick would be the first overall pick?

I hope Patrick will be the first, but there is Nico Hischier on his back for the first pick! What do you think, Hischier or Patrick?

 

[Constable]

if nj drafts patrick over hischier their foots will be up their ass permanently for about 15 years

i hope they do only because family+friends are flyers fans

 

[Cheddabombs]

if nj drafts patrick over hischier their foots will be up their ass permanently for about 15 years

i hope they do only because family+friends are flyers fans

It's funny because I've seen quite a few people say there's no way the Devils can leave Patrick on the board and they'll be kicking themselves for letting the Flyers get him. Almost like it's a close race between them or something...

 

[goonybird]

is Patrick cut-and-dry better if he's injury-free?

 

[Spade]

is Patrick cut-and-dry better if he's injury-free?

Not quite. Hischier is turning heads not just because of how well he's played, but the manner in which he's doing so. You'd expect a dynamic scorer to be a lot more fancy, but Hischier is the prototypical player that people think will succeed in the analytics era. He CAN dangle, make no mistake, but his puck poise and ability to make plays are all very Penguins-esque. He won't overplay the puck, he won't overpass the puck, but he also won't overshoot the puck. Lots of young players will only see the obvious passing option while Hischier understands that sometimes it's better to let the puck work to the option guy organically instead of forcing a play through 3 players.

He plays like a true teammate and if his supposed attention to detail is in any way factual then he'll be the kind of player who excels within a structured offense and makes his teammates perform better as a result.

Now I also don't believe he'd be a true top 3 type player in a stronger draft, but he's incredibly intriguing and as a neutral observer I'd almost prefer to gamble on him just to see whether all that potential can really turn out. I expect him to have a few peaks seasons around 65 points, but he can easily get that up to 70-75 or higher with great development and some luck. Patrick is a very safe player and one who'll hit his prime years a little earlier and likely longer, though, so I can easily accept that some people would pick him first.

 

[93LEAFS]

Ever hear of a guy named Giroux? Kucherov?

Other than Draisaitl, who was last star forward to come out of the WHL?

RyJo is a first line center on a team that has a solid chance of making the conference finals right now.

Kucherov while he played in the Q only played like 40 games and wasn't drafted out of it. Giroux was taken over a decade ago.

I will say this, the Q has probably produced more high-end forwards in the last decade in Mackinnon, Ehlers, Huberdeau, and Drouin compared to RyJo, Draisaitl, RNH, and Niedereiter. But, all those guys in the QMJHL noticeably out produced Hischier in. Patrick's production is pretty high-end for a 6'3 to 6'4 guy with his frame.

 

[Baemon Severson*]

RyJo is a first line center on a team that has a solid chance of making the conference finals right now.

Kucherov while he played in the Q only played like 40 games and wasn't drafted out of it. Giroux was taken over a decade ago.

I will say this, the Q has probably produced more high-end forwards in the last decade in Mackinnon, Ehlers, Huberdeau, and Drouin compared to RyJo, Draisaitl, RNH, and Niedereiter. But, all those guys in the QMJHL noticeably out produced Hischier in. Patrick's production is pretty high-end for a 6'3 to 6'4 guy with his frame.

Dont forget about Mark Stone

 

[Missionhockey]

For guys who saw both in junior, how does Hischier compare to Nathan Mackinnon?

 

[goonybird]

For guys who saw both in junior, how does Hischier compare to Nathan Mackinnon?

I'd say MacKinnon is a bull in a china shop. Like Hall, Kovalchuk, and other speedy-slick stars. Not sure if this has changed much in Colorado though.

Hischier has similar skills but plays with more restraint. Like Ehlers or Huberdeau. I don't think they're really that similar, but Hischier can really move when he gets going.

 

[stubbadub]

For guys who saw both in junior, how does Hischier compare to Nathan Mackinnon?

Not a game changer like MacKinnon was, but is very sound position-wise. He's very fast, but not as blisteringly fast as MacKinnon was, but has more of a nose for the puck than Drouin did. More willing to get dirty, and can dangle, whereas Drouin was pure finesse in the Q.

I wouldn't slot him in between MacKinnon and Drouin talent-wise, but just ever-so-slightly past Drouin. Nico's North American game adapted almost overnight it seemed, which was very exciting to see, which showed more grit in the long term.

 

[Missionhockey]

Not a game changer like MacKinnon was, but is very sound position-wise. He's very fast, but not as blisteringly fast as MacKinnon was, but has more of a nose for the puck than Drouin did. More willing to get dirty, and can dangle, whereas Drouin was pure finesse in the Q.

I wouldn't slot him in between MacKinnon and Drouin talent-wise, but just ever-so-slightly past Drouin. Nico's North American game adapted almost overnight it seemed, which was very exciting to see, which showed more grit in the long term.

Thanks for the insight!

 

[FlameChampion]

How does Hischier compare to Draitsaitl in their junior years for people who have watched them? Both players seem to be on one man teams it seems.

Hischier better skater vs Draitsaitl better hockey IQ/Size?

 

[Baemon Severson*]

The Q does a great job tracking stats compared to the WHL, so it gives us some nice data on Nico.

Some pluses:

-Averaged over 4 shots per game in the regular season and 5 per game in the playoffs

-Only 11 of his 38 goals came on the PP, which means that he did very well at ES

-Shot 16.4%, which isn't very high in that league, so he didnt shoot lights out. This indicates he wasnt riding percentages

-People say he faded down the stretch and his only less than PPG month was indeed March. However, his shot rate remained at 4 p/g and he shot 3%. He was just incredibly unlucky that month

A couple of minuses:

-His faceoff percentage was under 50% (48.7%). I'm not a big faceoffs guy, but he may need to get better if he wants to remain a C.

-He had 54 pts in 30 home games, but only 32 in 27 road games. It seems like he wasn't quite as effective when opposing coaches got the matchups they wanted

Overall- I'm actually more encouraged after looking at this data. Seems like he did a ton of damage at ES and him fading down the stretch seems a tad exaggerated considering his shot rate remained consistent in March and even increased in the playoffs.

 

[hradekbr]

For guys who saw both in junior, how does Hischier compare to Nathan Mackinnon?

Mackinnon was more explosive and dynamic while Hischier is more in control at all times. Reminds me a bit of young Zetterberg in a way where he's always a step ahead of the opponent.

 

[Protest]

I haven't seen a lot of him because the Flyers were going to have no shot at him, but from watching some video he reminds me of a taller Danny Briere. Even though he can shoot he still seems to score a lot from in close. He can dangle but doesn't do it often. Seems to always attack the net. Shifty with good speed, but not a burner etc

 

[medkit]

Mackinnon would easily go #1 in this draft

 

[93LEAFS]

Mackinnon would easily go #1 in this draft

So would Jones, Drouin and Barkov.

 

[SergeConstantin74]

When comparing MacKinnon's and Hischier's draft seasons, there are so much variables to consider.

- Both are different players.

- Nathan was in his 2nd year in the QMJHL and living at home with mom and dad. Nico was in his first year in the QMJHL and moved to a different country, with a different language and a different culture.

- The schedule is heavier in the Q than in Switzerland and Nico suffered from it late in the season. MacKinnon missed several games due to an injury that year and was used to that kind of work load.

- Halifax was the best team in the whole CHL in 2012-13 but last season they ranked 15th in the QMJHL. MacKinnon's had better players around him.

In 10 years, I wouldn't be surprised to see Nico having a better NHL career. MacKinnon is still a good player but I believe Hischier might even be better.

 

[Hockeypete49]

So would Jones, Drouin and Barkov.

Cracks me up when people can see the future and make predictions. All I know is the bevs and Flyers are happy as hell who they select in round one and you can predict that.

 

[AvsCOL]

When comparing MacKinnon's and Hischier's draft seasons, there are so much variables to consider.

- Both are different players.

- Nathan was in his 2nd year in the QMJHL and living at home with mom and dad. Nico was in his first year in the QMJHL and moved to a different country, with a different language and a different culture.

- The schedule is heavier in the Q than in Switzerland and Nico suffered from it late in the season. MacKinnon missed several games due to an injury that year and was used to that kind of work load.

- Halifax was the best team in the whole CHL in 2012-13 but last season they ranked 15th in the QMJHL. MacKinnon's had better players around him.

In 10 years, I wouldn't be surprised to see Nico having a better NHL career. MacKinnon is still a good player but I believe Hischier might even be better.

All very convenient arguments for your own personal beliefs. Let's not forget that MacKinnon was 9 months younger than Hischier in his draft year. I mean, I look at their playoff stats, and it's pretty clear to me who was the bigger impact for their teams.


MacKinnon (2013 playoffs) - 17gp - 11g, 12a, 33 points = 1.94 ppg
Hischier (2017 playoffs) - 6gp - 3g, 4a, 6 points = 1.17 ppg

They're both good players, but MacKinnon would 100% have gone #1 in this draft. Not saying who's going to be the better player in the long run, but based on their draft years, Nathan was much further along.

 

[SergeConstantin74]

All very convenient arguments for your own personal beliefs. Let's not forget that MacKinnon was 9 months younger than Hischier in his draft year. I mean, I look at their playoff stats, and it's pretty clear to me who was the bigger impact for their teams.


MacKinnon (2013 playoffs) - 17gp - 11g, 12a, 33 points = 1.94 ppg
Hischier (2017 playoffs) - 6gp - 3g, 4a, 6 points = 1.17 ppg

They're both good players, but MacKinnon would 100% have gone #1 in this draft. Not saying who's going to be the better player in the long run, but based on their draft years, Nathan was much further along.

You're also comparing what's convenient for you. Like I said, MacKinnon was used to that work load at that time and he had a better team around him. You could also say Drouin was even further along and had the biggest impact since he had 2.06 ppg and was named MVP.

I'm really not saying Hischier is clearly better than Nate, just saying their draft season CAN'T be compared because of all these elements that make a difference.

One could also argue that at 17 MacKinnon barely made an impact at the U20 and Nico was a dominant force but that would be like comparing their playoffs.

 

[hradekbr]

All very convenient arguments for your own personal beliefs. Let's not forget that MacKinnon was 9 months younger than Hischier in his draft year. I mean, I look at their playoff stats, and it's pretty clear to me who was the bigger impact for their teams.


MacKinnon (2013 playoffs) - 17gp - 11g, 12a, 33 points = 1.94 ppg
Hischier (2017 playoffs) - 6gp - 3g, 4a, 6 points = 1.17 ppg

They're both good players, but MacKinnon would 100% have gone #1 in this draft. Not saying who's going to be the better player in the long run, but based on their draft years, Nathan was much further along.

Halifax was one of the younger teams in the Q this year. Not to mention Hischier didn't have the blessing of playing with Frk and Drouin like MacKinnon did. That being said, I'd still rather have MacKinnon over Hischier in their draft years... but it's somewhat close.

 

[AvsCOL]

You're also comparing what's convenient for you. Like I said, MacKinnon was used to that work load at that time and he had a better team around him. You could also say Drouin was even further along and had the biggest impact since he had 2.06 ppg and was named MVP.

I'm really not saying Hischier is clearly better than Nate, just saying their draft season CAN'T be compared because of all these elements that make a difference.

One could also argue that at 17 MacKinnon barely made an impact at the U20 and Nico was a dominant force but that would be like comparing their playoffs.

Drouin was further along. He would've gone before Hischier as well. I've seen the two of them play in Halifax in person, and I can tell you they were better prospects than Nico.


Sure, Mackinnon didn't have a great tournament, but we're not comparing a 5-6 game tournament versus an entire season are we?

 

[Tralfamadore]

Cracks me up when people can see the future and make predictions. All I know is the bevs and Flyers are happy as hell who they select in round one and you can predict that.

Ya but this isn't a case of hindsight. As prospects each of those players and MacKinnon were more highly touted than anyone in this draft. Patrick and Nico would be going 5th and 6th. You're right though, you're still going to get a decent prospect. Should be happy.