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

[Cheddabombs]

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.

Decent is kind of a tame statement, lol. Nico and Nolan are great prospects. They're no McEichal or Matthews but they're still pretty darn good.

 

[Rebels57]

Decent is kind of a tame statement, lol. Nico and Nolan are great prospects. They're no McEichal or Matthews but they're still pretty darn good.

Once a narrative takes hold at HFBoards, it's hard to shake it.

 

[93LEAFS]

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.

I'm not seeing into the future. I'm simply telling you how all the players were viewed prior to the draft. Patrick is very comparable to Monahan who went 6th in that draft. You'll get a good prospect, be happy, but your sarcasm is misplaced.

 

[93LEAFS]

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.

Hischier played for a small underdog country and was given 22 minutes a game (in comparison, no player on Canada played over 18 a game). MacKinnon was on Canada in a lockout year and used as the 13th forward.

That also ignores that MacKinnon absolutely destroyed the Memorial Cup, and was held in higher regard as a 16-year-old with a very strong track record.

 

[stubbadub]

With little hype surrounding both top selections, who bets that they both have spectacular seasons because of the lack of coverage and pressure each will get from the Canadian media in Philadelphia and New Jersey?

 

[93LEAFS]

With little hype surrounding both top selections, who bets that they both have spectacular seasons because of the lack of coverage and pressure each will get from the Canadian media in Philadelphia and New Jersey?

If Patrick isn't in the NHL, he will get a lot of attention by the Canadian media as he'd be expected to be the best player on the U-20 team. See Dylan Strome and to a lesser extent PLD.

I also don't think it really makes a difference. You don't become good hockey players by not excelling under pressure.

 

[CanuckistanFlyerfan]

With little hype surrounding both top selections, who bets that they both have spectacular seasons because of the lack of coverage and pressure each will get from the Canadian media in Philadelphia and New Jersey?

Phillys media can be just as big of jerks as Canadian media.

 

[daa5250]

With little hype surrounding both top selections, who bets that they both have spectacular seasons because of the lack of coverage and pressure each will get from the Canadian media in Philadelphia and New Jersey?

Philly's media is brutal. They are pretty much all a bunch of clowns looking to stir up controversy and there is a lot of pressure here.

I would say Philly's media is top 5 in the league in terms of coverage and stirring up controversy.

 

[SergeConstantin74]

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?

We're aren't comparing a 2nd year playing at home vs a 1st year playing in another country, are we?

 

[Rebels57]

With little hype surrounding both top selections, who bets that they both have spectacular seasons because of the lack of coverage and pressure each will get from the Canadian media in Philadelphia and New Jersey?

I'm not sure you realize how big of a sports town Philadelphia is..

 

[C0DITH]

Being from Halifax, and watching the QMJHL for the last two decades, I will throw in my two cents.

1- Stop comparing Mackinnon and Drouins numbers to Nico's....That Memorial Cup Moosehead team might have been on of the best Junior hockey teams I have personally watched during my ENTIRE viewership of the league. That squad had 8 20+ Goal scorers.....5 had 30+. My dead grandmother could have padded her stats on that team sleeping on the checking line.....

Nico is literally playing on the basement team, carrying a bunch of rookies who are no where close to his level.

2- Point totals are going down in the leagues, whether it is the NHL/CHL you know it. Even trying to compare points from 3-4 seasons ago are inflated compared to the outcomes now. People think Patrick/Nico may have 70-75 point potential, yet Ovie and Matthews only had 69 this year.....only one player had over 90....If either of these kids hits 70, they will easily be better than Mackinnon/Barkov/Drouin/RNH/ect in regards to recent drafts.

3- Who will have more points over their career (Nico/Patrick)? I would say whoever Philly gets of those two.....That kid will be set up with the best future D core in the entire league, and probably the most under-rated prospected I think I have witnessed over the last 5 years or so in Oscar Lindblom. Ohhh....not to mention Giroux, Simmonds, Voracek, Schenn and Konecny.....Now when I think about it.....God damn what a hockey team that will be.

 

[CrazyPucker27]

We're aren't comparing a 2nd year playing at home vs a 1st year playing in another country, are we?

Weird? I was under the impression that Drouin played in Halifax and not his hometown?

 

[tade]

Being from Halifax, and watching the QMJHL for the last two decades, I will throw in my two cents.

1- Stop comparing Mackinnon and Drouins numbers to Nico's....That Memorial Cup Moosehead team might have been on of the best Junior hockey teams I have personally watched during my ENTIRE viewership of the league. That squad had 8 20+ Goal scorers.....5 had 30+. My dead grandmother could have padded her stats on that team sleeping on the checking line.....

Nico is literally playing on the basement team, carrying a bunch of rookies who are no where close to his level.

2- Point totals are going down in the leagues, whether it is the NHL/CHL you know it. Even trying to compare points from 3-4 seasons ago are inflated compared to the outcomes now. People think Patrick/Nico may have 70-75 point potential, yet Ovie and Matthews only had 69 this year.....only one player had over 90....If either of these kids hits 70, they will easily be better than Mackinnon/Barkov/Drouin/RNH/ect in regards to recent drafts.

3- Who will have more points over their career (Nico/Patrick)? I would say whoever Philly gets of those two.....That kid will be set up with the best future D core in the entire league, and probably the most under-rated prospected I think I have witnessed over the last 5 years or so in Oscar Lindblom. Ohhh....not to mention Giroux, Simmonds, Voracek, Schenn and Konecny.....Now when I think about it.....God damn what a hockey team that will be.

Great post. Thanks for this.

 

[SergeConstantin74]

Being from Halifax, and watching the QMJHL for the last two decades, I will throw in my two cents.

1- Stop comparing Mackinnon and Drouins numbers to Nico's....That Memorial Cup Moosehead team might have been on of the best Junior hockey teams I have personally watched during my ENTIRE viewership of the league. That squad had 8 20+ Goal scorers.....5 had 30+. My dead grandmother could have padded her stats on that team sleeping on the checking line.....

Nico is literally playing on the basement team, carrying a bunch of rookies who are no where close to his level.

You must be wrong.

 

[Rebels57]

Being from Halifax, and watching the QMJHL for the last two decades, I will throw in my two cents.

1- Stop comparing Mackinnon and Drouins numbers to Nico's....That Memorial Cup Moosehead team might have been on of the best Junior hockey teams I have personally watched during my ENTIRE viewership of the league. That squad had 8 20+ Goal scorers.....5 had 30+. My dead grandmother could have padded her stats on that team sleeping on the checking line.....

Nico is literally playing on the basement team, carrying a bunch of rookies who are no where close to his level.

2- Point totals are going down in the leagues, whether it is the NHL/CHL you know it. Even trying to compare points from 3-4 seasons ago are inflated compared to the outcomes now. People think Patrick/Nico may have 70-75 point potential, yet Ovie and Matthews only had 69 this year.....only one player had over 90....If either of these kids hits 70, they will easily be better than Mackinnon/Barkov/Drouin/RNH/ect in regards to recent drafts.

3- Who will have more points over their career (Nico/Patrick)? I would say whoever Philly gets of those two.....That kid will be set up with the best future D core in the entire league, and probably the most under-rated prospected I think I have witnessed over the last 5 years or so in Oscar Lindblom. Ohhh....not to mention Giroux, Simmonds, Voracek, Schenn and Konecny.....Now when I think about it.....God damn what a hockey team that will be.

I like your style man.

 

[SergeConstantin74]

That Halifax Mooseheads media relations manager says Nico isn't AHL eligible, he wasn't on loan with Halifax.

 

[Patmac40]

Interesting, and it's what I suspected at the beginning of the year. Would've surprised me that Cam wouldn't have been able to get Nico out of the Swiss contract so that he wouldn't be on loan.

 

[sgupca]

Being from Halifax, and watching the QMJHL for the last two decades, I will throw in my two cents.

1- Stop comparing Mackinnon and Drouins numbers to Nico's....That Memorial Cup Moosehead team might have been on of the best Junior hockey teams I have personally watched during my ENTIRE viewership of the league. That squad had 8 20+ Goal scorers.....5 had 30+. My dead grandmother could have padded her stats on that team sleeping on the checking line.....

Nico is literally playing on the basement team, carrying a bunch of rookies who are no where close to his level.

2- Point totals are going down in the leagues, whether it is the NHL/CHL you know it. Even trying to compare points from 3-4 seasons ago are inflated compared to the outcomes now. People think Patrick/Nico may have 70-75 point potential, yet Ovie and Matthews only had 69 this year.....only one player had over 90....If either of these kids hits 70, they will easily be better than Mackinnon/Barkov/Drouin/RNH/ect in regards to recent drafts.

3- Who will have more points over their career (Nico/Patrick)? I would say whoever Philly gets of those two.....That kid will be set up with the best future D core in the entire league, and probably the most under-rated prospected I think I have witnessed over the last 5 years or so in Oscar Lindblom. Ohhh....not to mention Giroux, Simmonds, Voracek, Schenn and Konecny.....Now when I think about it.....God damn what a hockey team that will be.

I came to post the same thing. Nico carries that team as a 17 year old. After watching him all year I think he should be the clear-cut #1. But I'm also bias!

 

[SergeConstantin74]

Interesting, and it's what I suspected at the beginning of the year. Would've surprised me that Cam wouldn't have been able to get Nico out of the Swiss contract so that he wouldn't be on loan.

Nico said in an interview he's still linked to SC Bern but it's a junior contract.

http://www.broadstreethockey.com/fl...7-nico-hischier-vs-nolan-patrick-ahl-loophole

 

[Hockeypete49]

Being from Halifax, and watching the QMJHL for the last two decades, I will throw in my two cents.

1- Stop comparing Mackinnon and Drouins numbers to Nico's....That Memorial Cup Moosehead team might have been on of the best Junior hockey teams I have personally watched during my ENTIRE viewership of the league. That squad had 8 20+ Goal scorers.....5 had 30+. My dead grandmother could have padded her stats on that team sleeping on the checking line.....

Nico is literally playing on the basement team, carrying a bunch of rookies who are no where close to his level.

2- Point totals are going down in the leagues, whether it is the NHL/CHL you know it. Even trying to compare points from 3-4 seasons ago are inflated compared to the outcomes now. People think Patrick/Nico may have 70-75 point potential, yet Ovie and Matthews only had 69 this year.....only one player had over 90....If either of these kids hits 70, they will easily be better than Mackinnon/Barkov/Drouin/RNH/ect in regards to recent drafts.

3- Who will have more points over their career (Nico/Patrick)? I would say whoever Philly gets of those two.....That kid will be set up with the best future D core in the entire league, and probably the most under-rated prospected I think I have witnessed over the last 5 years or so in Oscar Lindblom. Ohhh....not to mention Giroux, Simmonds, Voracek, Schenn and Konecny.....Now when I think about it.....God damn what a hockey team that will be.

Great post. Thank you.

 

[93LEAFS]

Being from Halifax, and watching the QMJHL for the last two decades, I will throw in my two cents.

1- Stop comparing Mackinnon and Drouins numbers to Nico's....That Memorial Cup Moosehead team might have been on of the best Junior hockey teams I have personally watched during my ENTIRE viewership of the league. That squad had 8 20+ Goal scorers.....5 had 30+. My dead grandmother could have padded her stats on that team sleeping on the checking line.....

Nico is literally playing on the basement team, carrying a bunch of rookies who are no where close to his level.

2- Point totals are going down in the leagues, whether it is the NHL/CHL you know it. Even trying to compare points from 3-4 seasons ago are inflated compared to the outcomes now. People think Patrick/Nico may have 70-75 point potential, yet Ovie and Matthews only had 69 this year.....only one player had over 90....If either of these kids hits 70, they will easily be better than Mackinnon/Barkov/Drouin/RNH/ect in regards to recent drafts.

3- Who will have more points over their career (Nico/Patrick)? I would say whoever Philly gets of those two.....That kid will be set up with the best future D core in the entire league, and probably the most under-rated prospected I think I have witnessed over the last 5 years or so in Oscar Lindblom. Ohhh....not to mention Giroux, Simmonds, Voracek, Schenn and Konecny.....Now when I think about it.....God damn what a hockey team that will be.

In regards to the NHL, this just isn't true. Scoring is at the same level it was 3 to 4 years ago. It actually went up in 2015/16 (which I believe is partially fueled by 3 on 3).
You c
https://www.sportingcharts.com/articles/nhl/average-goals-scored-per-game-in-the-nhl.aspx

edit: Quickly doing the math, goals actually went up this year in the NHL. There were 6,803 goals scored an improvement of about 100 goals on last years total. So about 3.3 goals per team over 82 games. The only thing that drastically alters individual scoring is when significantly more powerplays are called, which led to a rise in league wide and individual numbers in 2005 and to a lesser extent 2006.

edit 2: Just did the numbers for the QMJHL comparing 2012/13 to 2016/17. 2012/12 had a total of 4,277 goals scored, 2016/17 had a total of 4,224 scored. So you are talking a difference of 3 goals over an entire season per team. That hardly affects anyones totals in the way it is being protrayed.

You can make an argument that Halifax's secondary player's numbers were inflated, but its unlikely Drouin's or Mackinnon's were significant. Usually, when a team is blowing people out they start to rest their best players in the 3rd period, deeper teams also tend to allocate ice-time more equally. Hischier was given a boatload of ice-time which somewhat counteracts the weaker teammates he had. He was also put in a set up where he was on his team's strongest line with their second best scorer in Fortier. Secondary players tend to benefit from playing on elite teams points wise, but that isn't as true for players who drive possession and offense like MacKinnon and Drouin.

 

[Hockeypete49]

Philly's media is brutal. They are pretty much all a bunch of clowns looking to stir up controversy and there is a lot of pressure here.

I would say Philly's media is top 5 in the league in terms of coverage and stirring up controversy.

The hockey coverage in this town is horrendous and that is putting it mildly. You hit the nail right on the head when you said clowns looking to stir up controversy.

 

[hradekbr]

That Halifax Mooseheads media relations manager says Nico isn't AHL eligible, he wasn't on loan with Halifax.

Saw this as well. Very interesting. Let's just assume he goes to the Flyers (if he's drafted by the Devils he immediately goes into their lineup without question). The Flyers have Giroux, Couturier, Filppula, and even Schenn at times who all play Top 9 F minutes at C. I guess they could trade Filppula since he's an expiring in 2018, but thats highly unlikely. Couturier and Giroux aren't going anywhere, and the top 6 wings are mostly solidified so there's no room there for Hischier either. I think there would be a good chance Philly would consider sending Hischier down for a season simply due to them not having room for him.

 

[Jon Riley]

In that case I hope he goes to NLA. Higher level, facing adults pro I think it would do him good. To Matthews for sure the season in Switzerland did good

 

[JojoTheWhale]

Hischier was given a boatload of ice-time

Do you have a source on this or are these observations and/or estimated numbers?