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

[93LEAFS]

Nico's now #1 on McKenzie's list, hockeyprospects and most of the recent rankings.

Interesting development, what's the reason behind it? They havent played a game in 2 months and did both equally fine at the combine..
Is it the height difference, which is smaller than expected?

Teams finished their final meetings, so guys may be relying on input of there regional guys or their team's final list when they vote now. In HockeyProspects case, they don't release a list from February until the final list.

In McKenzie's case, since the lottery, my guess is the key in switching them was someone having Makar at 1, which made it 5 to 4 at the top, in Hischier's favor. Its been close since the WJC. I think Patrick's injury and lack of growth this year, with the belief Hischier, is a bit rawer (therefore has a higher ceiling) shifted it in the end. Although, 1OA is still wide open.

 

[Brooklyndevil]

Based on Shero's drafting history in Pittsburgh, you better hope they go with who the scouts think should be the pick and not Shero.

Pens got a few later round gems when the scouting was left to the actual scouts (Murray, Guentzel, Rust, etc.), but whiffed on quite a few of the 1st round picks when Shero had a say (Morrow, Pouliot, Bennett, etc.).*

*For context, Shero was involved in the 1st round selection and left the rounds after that completely to the scouts. Not sure if that's the same setup in New Jersey.

Shero is terrible because he picks the first round pick and his scouts are great because they pick the later round picks. Got it!

 

[MMC]

Welcome to New Jersey!

 

[Devilsfan118]

I flipped and flopped like 30x over the past month.

But I simply couldn't be happier.

 

[BruinLVGA]

Now for Switzerland, I must adopt the NJ Devils as my 2nd team. Go Nico, go Devils!

 

[Zirakzigil]

Good pickup. Should be a great player for the Devils.

 

[Nocashstyle]

Welcome to NJ

 

[VoidCreature]

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Logical good pick by NJ. Now they have Hischier to go along with Mcleod down the middle. With Zacha and Hall on the wing. Things are starting to look good in NJ.

 

[Colin226]

That's just crazy haha

 

[Roo Mad Bro]

Seems like a good kid with some personality compared to the robot that is Patrick.

Should be a fun debate for years to come.

 

[Grare]

Nickname is 'freako Nico'

 

[PlamsUnlimited]

Devils did well here. I thought Nico was the better rounded player and safer/healthy.

 

[KAPOW]

wise decision NJ

 

[HenriquesJawLine]

"I love to hockey"

 

[East Coast Icestyle]

One of my favourite Moosehead in a long time. Now I have to cheer for devils haha

 

[King Mapes]

As a Mooseheads fan I'm thrilled. Another first overall

 

[Mike27Devils]

Moosehead fans have been very spoiled haha.

 

[93LEAFS]

Moosehead fans have been very spoiled haha.

I'd pay good money to see a Knights vs Halifax alumni game. To balance it out, maybe take out rentals. Without, it'd be pretty ridiculous.

 

[King Mapes]

I'd pay good money to see a Knights vs Halifax alumni game. To balance it out, maybe take out rentals. Without, it'd be pretty ridiculous.

Honestly for awhile we didn't have a whole lot. Tanguay, Leclaire.. but not much. It's been ever since Voracek I find where we really loaded up and then the past 5 years has been insane. If you include rentals Marchand is there too but he was pretty bad in the playoffs that included him being benched the final game.

Anyways, where do you guys think Hischier would be ranked if he wasn't available until next year?

 

[HenriquesJawLine]

 

[HenriquesJawLine]

 

[93LEAFS]

Honestly for awhile we didn't have a whole lot. Tanguay, Leclaire.. but not much. It's been ever since Voracek I find where we really loaded up and then the past 5 years has been insane. If you include rentals Marchand is there too but he was pretty bad in the playoffs that included him being benched the final game.

Anyways, where do you guys think Hischier would be ranked if he wasn't available until next year?

I'd think he'd be a clear 3rd behind Svechnikov and Dahlin. Other guys may make the jump this year, but he's way more proven than pretty much everyone else with just as high-upside.

 

[Colin226]

Devils are rolling out the red carpet for this kid and it's cool to see some other local teams showing support. That Yankees/Devils relationship is tight.

 

[Baemon Severson*]

I'm usually hesitant to draft guys high from Q but Halifax played in a juggernaut division. Saint John and Charlottetown were two of the best in the CHL and Cape Breton and Acadie-Bathurst were at least 14 games over. 500