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

[The Noot]

The media hype about him back here in Switzerland is pretty insane right now. Every newspaper, online outlet, radio station etc. is doing a piece on Nico. A lot of swiss people will be watching him tomorrow. I hope he will have a good game. Might be do a lot for the popularity of the NHL in Switzerland...

Well, if anything helps, it will be a Swiss 1st overall draft pick.

The biggest problem has always been the fact that NHL games start at 1am-4:30am. Nico will only change that for a few games.
I mean, even tomorrow, as nice as the gesture for the Swiss fans is, I don't expect too many Swiss people to watch the NJ game, considering that our soccer team also has a fairly critical game at the same time.

For all the other games, it's just hard to follow the league.
I am privileged, as a fan of a west coast team, because I can sometimes watch the last 2 periods on my way to work. But for fans of teams in the Eastern Conference, and with that for new fans of the Devils, it's just hard to watch games live and even harder to not get spoiled during the day so they can watch a recording the evening after.

 

[Speyer]

I agree about the time zone difference. I tried to watch 2-3 NHL games a week a couple of seasons ago and it almost killed me at work/school...

And I know just one game will have little impact on how the NHL is percieved in Switzerland. Nico would have to become a star in the league for years and other players would have to take up bigger roles as well. I still think there is a good chance the NHL will become more popular here soon. We have a lot of casual and hardcore hockey fans in Switzerland, but only a small percentage cares about the NHL. So there is at least quite a bit of untapped potential.

 

[Emperoreddy]

I'm not able to go to the home opener because the time was changed to 2 PM, so I hope lots of Swiss fans watch and enjoy to make up for it.

 

[BruinLVGA]

I'm not able to go to the home opener because the time was changed to 2 PM, so I hope lots of Swiss fans watch and enjoy to make up for it.

I know I surely will.

 

[swissexpert]

Me too! Would've watched at 2:00 am as well though

 

[NJ DevLolz]

Oh my god, is he impressive live

 

[Hope Bringer]

He looks very good! Wasn't sure what to expect but he looks very impressive.

 

[VictorLustig]

Looks fantastic

 

[SansaStark]

kid was beasting that period

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

He looks absolutely amazing 1 period in. Ridiculous hands. I’m starting to think he’s been underhyped.

 

[goonybird]

He's incredible.

 

[Skip2myBordyloo]

He looks absolutely amazing 1 period in. Ridiculous hands. I’m starting to think he’s been underhyped.

I agree, looks like Datsyuk without the physicality.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

He looks absolutely amazing 1 period in. Ridiculous hands. I’m starting to think he’s been underhyped.

Yeah I feel like a big part of it is just how good the previous 2 1OA players were. Almost like there was a fatigue that set in and he just kind of flew under the radar. Which honestly is probably a great thing for him.

 

[vtdevils2k]

I agree, looks like Datsyuk without the physicality.

Kid is just ridiculously good. Imagine what he will do when he adds on more weight!

 

[Blender]

I agree, looks like Datsyuk without the physicality.

That will come more as he gets older and puts on more muscle. He's really skinny right now and tends to get shoved over. Probably the biggest weakness in his game.

 

[Nick Hansen]

It's nice to see the hockey world expanding. Switzerland has produced a few fine players, but if Hischier becomes an offensive superstar that could be huge. Same with Draisatl in Germany. Makes you root a little bit for these players.

 

[Stephen]

Hischier has a real next generation feel to his game. Kind of what you want to see the NHL trend towards. Ultra lite, very skilled, composed, so impressive.

Kind of funny how his NHL debut is against the team that got bumped out of the first overall.

 

[Soups On]

That will come more as he gets older and puts on more muscle. He's really skinny right now and tends to get shoved over. Probably the biggest weakness in his game.

Yet despite this, he's still strong on the puck and has immense puck control. He's been really good so far. Will be really exciting to see what he can do when he gets stronger!

 

[Stephen]

He looks smarter than Mackinnon and Drouin.

 

[135ace]

He looks smarter than Mackinnon and Drouin.

I agree. The way he's playing he looks like he'll be better than the Marner/Mackinnon/Drouin/Gaudreau tier players.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Looks even better than I expected. So smart, composed, skilled, and strong on the puck. At this point he's a clear level ahead of Patrick, maybe more.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

I agree. The way he's playing he looks like he'll be better than the Marner/Mackinnon/Drouin/Gaudreau tier players.

One of these is not like the others . . . let's not get carried away.

 

[Mike27Devils]

No points in his first game but he looked very very good. Could of had a couple points but it just didn't work out that way. He's so extremely smart/skilled, has an elite hockey brain, and has such a good head on his shoulders as he is mature way beyond his years. He is so tenacious on the puck and had at least 3 or 4 takeaways in the game. He's so shifty along the boards in the offensive zone. He really is a treat to watch. I don't want to get ahead of myself but it looks like he'll be one of the elite players in the league in the not so distant future.

 

[varano]

He was very impressive. He will be draining goals in no time

 

[BruinLVGA]

How about when he went to confront Johnson after he had taken out Palmieri? Nico has great talent, maturity, hockey IQ and seemingly guts too.
I was impressed with how he played in his debut. Totally deserved to be on the score sheet but didn't have much luck.