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

[Tripod]

Yeah I actually wasn't aware of that for s while either, apparently he is very very good in his own end.

Nico's defensive play was very underrated by lots of people. As what happens a lot, when guys get lots of points, they assume he is poor defensively. Not Mico. He is very good defensively and it is a very under rated part of his game.

 

[Critical13]

No one is pegging him as a legit 1C. There are like 10-20 of those guys in the league, if that.

I could see him being a Logan Couture. 30 goals and a really good #2, not sure he'll develop into a true #1 though.

I am pegging him as a legit #1 C. Couture at his peak could also be considered a #1 C. He would have been just that for a lot of teams, he just happened to have Marleau and Jumbo in front of him.

 

[Edmonton East]

No one is pegging him as a legit 1C. There are like 10-20 of those guys in the league, if that.

Err...maybe no Ranger fan is pegging him as a 1C, but plenty of other fans and hockey "analysts" are.

Of course that doesn't mean he is a lock to become one, but I'd say the majority of people "peg" him as a future 1C.

 

[KingTux]

I am pegging him as a legit #1 C. Couture at his peak could also be considered a #1 C. He would have been just that for a lot of teams, he just happened to have Marleau and Jumbo in front of him.

That seems like a reasonable prediction

 

[TMLife*]

Yeah, these are 17/18 year old kids. Of course none of them are legit #1C’s right now, they need to be developed.

Heck, there’s probably 4 or 5 potential #1C’s this draft alone. It’s all about development from here on.

Wasn’t trying to bash Nico, just saying of course he has #1C potential

 

[King Mapes]

Yea, but Jr stats are heavily influenced by the strength of your team and the strength of your competition. For example, everyone says MacKinnon was clear as day a much better performer in his draft year than Nico. I'd argue you can't definitively say so one way of the other because the teams were so different.

MacKinnon team GF 347 in 68 games
Nico team GF 229 in 68 games

Let's roughly adjust for player GP and team GF.

MacKinnon: (347/68)*44 GP = 224.51 GF opportunity
Nico: (229/68)*57 GP = 191.96 GF opportunity

% of team goals scored = PlayerG/GF opportunity approximation
Mack: 14.3%
Nico: 19.8%

% of goals influenced = PlayerP/GF opportunity approximation
Mack: 33.4%
Nico: 44.8%

44.8% is insane, by the way.

Note: I'm not trying to enter into a Nico vs MacKinnon debate in this thread, simply addressing the poster's question surrounding production.

Mackinnon had by far the best team we've ever had. Iirc we had a playoffs similar to GS this year and went 16-1 if I remember right. That team was insane to watch and competition wasn't close. Offensively Drouin was more flashy but Nate was much better overall. He was one of the most explosive skaters I've seen at that age. I'd say Nate was definitely better in his draft year but that's not a knock on Nico and he could have a better career who knows. Nate has fallen off a bit. But ya, Junior stats can be inflated. Whenever that gets brought up I think of Simon Gamache (sp?)

 

[Critical13]

Yeah, these are 17/18 year old kids. Of course none of them are legit #1C’s right now, they need to be developed.

Heck, there’s probably 4 or 5 potential #1C’s this draft alone. It’s all about development from here on.

Wasn’t trying to bash Nico, just saying of course he has #1C potential

Agreed. Patrick could also be a #1 seed - if he develops well, he has the offensive gifts to be that guy. I think we can all just agree that we don't think it's likely he will carry a top line as the C.

 

[Filthy Dangles]

Err...maybe no Ranger fan is pegging him as a 1C, but plenty of other fans and hockey "analysts" are.

Of course that doesn't mean he is a lock to become one, but I'd say the majority of people "peg" him as a future 1C.

Well obviously I hope be busts but I see him being between Logan Couture-Matt Duchene caliber which is a really good NHL player, but maybe not 'legit 1C' depending on the standards used here sometimes.

Obviously he could become much better than that, not ruling it out either.

 

[BruinLVGA]

Yeah I actually wasn't aware of that for s while either, apparently he is very very good in his own end.

Nico had a +/- of +20, #1 overall in Halifax. Next best forward at +/- for the Mooseheads: 0.

 

[zharkenby]

Agreed. Patrick could also be a #1 seed - if he develops well, he has the offensive gifts to be that guy. I think we can all just agree that we don't think it's likely he will carry a top line as the C.

No, we can't. He absolutely has the potential to carry a first line, and nothing says otherwise so far. Let's see how he develops. If he was a leafs prospect you'd be talking nonstop about his franchise potential.

 

[Howboutthempanthers]

So, he's going back to Switzerland? Is he going to development camp?

 

[vtdevils2k]

So, he's going back to Switzerland? Is he going to development camp?

He's headed back to Switzerland and then will be back for Devils Development Camp early July after the holiday.

 

[HenriquesJawLine]

Me after bringing home my little league baseball jersey for the first time

 

[VoidCreature]

I was a Patrick guy for most of the year, but getting to know Nico over the last couple days and seeing how he's handled everything thrown his way has left me with no doubt we made the right choice.

 

[McKappa]

I thinks he's gonna be a number 1 in this league. Not like an elite top 10 forward or anything but a good #1.

 

[EdmFlyersfan]

That's funny...I was a Nico guy for most of the year, but getting to know Patrick over the last couple days and seeing how he's handled everything thrown his way has left me with no doubt we made the right choice.

I was a Patrick guy for most of the year, but getting to know Nico over the last couple days and seeing how he's handled everything thrown his way has left me with no doubt we made the right choice.

 

[VoidCreature]

That's funny...I was a Nico guy for most of the year, but getting to know Patrick over the last couple days and seeing how he's handled everything thrown his way has left me with no doubt we made the right choice.

Not much of a choice at 2. I guess you could have drafted Heiskanen.

 

[BruinLVGA]

So, he's going back to Switzerland? Is he going to development camp?

Going to camp in July where they will establish his training program for the summer, then Nico will work to complete that program, most likely with Bern (his ex team in Switzerland and where his brother Luca plays). Then back to camp in September with NJ where they will decide where he plays next year. About that, his agent - Gaetan Voisard - believes Nico's chances for 17-18 in regards where he plays is 60% NJ, 30% Bern, 10% QMHJL. When Gaetano Orlando, NJ's Assistant Director of Amateur Scouting, was asked his opinion whether Nico will spend 17-18 with NJ, his answer was that he was "almost certain of it".

 

[Howboutthempanthers]

Going to camp in July where they will establish his training program for the summer, then Nico will work to complete that program, most likely with Bern (his ex team in Switzerland and where his brother Luca plays). Then back to camp in September with NJ where they will decide where he plays next year. About that, his agent - Gaetan Voisard - believes Nico's chances for 17-18 in regards where he plays is 60% NJ, 30% Bern, 10% QMHJL. When Gaetano Orlando, NJ's Assistant Director of Amateur Scouting, was asked his opinion whether Nico will spend 17-18 with NJ, his answer was that he was "almost certain of it".

Yeah, I've been getting the feel that NJ management thinks he's more likely to play in New Jersey next season. I suppose if he doesn't some how bomb in training camp, he'll be with the Devils to start the year.

 

[BruinLVGA]

Yeah, I've been getting the feel that NJ management thinks he's more likely to play in New Jersey next season. I suppose if he doesn't some how bomb in training camp, he'll be with the Devils to start the year.

I agree with this.

 

[KovalSNIPE]

We basically have the #3C spot open for battle between him and McLeod.

We honestly have so many rookies who can challenge for a spot it's insane.

 

[TMLife*]

We basically have the #3C spot open for battle between him and McLeod.

We honestly have so many rookies who can challenge for a spot it's insane.

Is there any way that both can make the team you figure? Any wing spots open?

 

[HenriquesJawLine]

Is there any way that both can make the team you figure? Any wing spots open?

I think Henrique moves from C to LW. Hall, Henrique and Zacha down the left wing and Zajac, Hischier, McLeod down the middle. Although a lot of things can change over the next week.

 

[TMLife*]

I think Henrique moves from C to LW. Hall, Henrique and Zacha down the left wing and Zajac, Hischier, McLeod down the middle.

Nice, looking good! Hoping the kids can make the team, I enjoyed checking in on Zacha this past year

 

[leafsfuture]

Absolutely loved this kid at the World Juniors.

But please, for the love of hockey, do NOT rush him. If he looks anything less than ready to score 40+ points, send him to junior.

It doesnt matter who you are, at 18, going back to junior will not hurt his development.