Lindy Ruff: “We Are Seeing The Best Version of Nico Hischier”

The New Jersey Devils named Nico Hischier team captain back on February 20, 2021. There was a reason they did so at such a young age. The Devils knew what kind of leader Hischier was not only on the ice but in the locker room as well. Entering his sixth season in the NHL, the Devils have asked and are finally seeing the best version of Nico Hischier.

Hischier has always been a vital part of the Devils organization since the day he was drafted first overall in 2017. Immediately he stepped into the number one centre’s role with ease. There was really no hesitation when it came to Hischier and his development. He was going to play in the NHL from the start. There was no going back to Switzerland for him. Who would have thought the Devils would have found their next captain with the first overall pick?

Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald sure did not think. But he is happy he did.

“When you draft players of Nico’s calibre, his talent, his character, his work ethic, you probably don’t think on draft day that’s your next captain,” Fitzgerald said the day he named Hischier captain. “But you envision somebody like Nico.”

During his first season in the league, the Devils made the playoffs as he was flanked by then-rookie Jesper Bratt and Taylor Hall, now a member of the Boston Bruins. Hischier played an important role in Hall’s Hart Trophy season of 2017-18. Hall during his time with the Devils had nothing but high praise for Hischier. Hall stated numerous times without Hischier, he does not think he would have won the MVP award that season.

While Hall was crucial to Hischier’s development in his first season in the league, he needed to show what he could do on his own. Once Taylor Hall got traded during the 2019-20 season, Hischier became the focal point of the team, before the Devils drafted Jack Hughes. Hischier along with Hughes and Bratt has become the foundation the Devils are building as these players continue to mature on and off the ice.

Once Hall was traded, Hischier took off offensively as he continued to put on size and work on his speed game in the off-season. In the 16 games following that trade during the 2019-20 season, Hischier registered 13 points. And that work ethic has continued in his sixth season in the league.

Since then Nico Hischier set career highs in every statistical category with 60 points (21 goals and 39 assists). Through 10 games this season Hischier has registered 10 points (five goals and five assists) as the mindset of the Devils has changed beginning with the captain himself.

“I’m more of a leader with action. I like to do the action (so) that others can follow me,” said Hischier in February of 2021. “Going to war with brothers, with the team, that’s what I like about hockey. It’s a team sport.”

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The NHL is taking notice of this young Devils team. Especially Nico Hischier. After being rewarded with a very team-friendly, seven-year contract that carries a $7.25 million salary-cap hit, in the final year of his entry-level contract, many thought it was the wrong time. However, the timing could not have been better neither could the value as Hischier is only getting better.

Not only is Hischier taking his game to the next level offensively, but defensively as well. The young Swiss center is tied for the team lead in winning faceoff percentage at 62.9%. That is already 10 percent higher than what he finished last year.  That work ethic and standard he has set for himself has carried over into the team as Tom Fitzgerald points out on the DFRO Rundown Podcast.

“Nico is creating standards… High standards that you expect out of yourself and your teammates, Fitzgerald said. “He is really pushing one another to get the most out of all our players. Guys are no longer afraid to speak the truth. It’s not ok with average or the last couple of seasons below average. It is not very good or where we want to be.”

“I think Nico has grown to understand that, Fitzgerald went on to say.” The respect he gets from his peer group is incredible. That is a part of it too along with confidence. There is more confidence in his game. Healthy (knock wood) parlays into the captain his and going be.”

But it did not happen overnight for Hischier. It took some time to develop into the captain and player we see on the ice today. There was a reason why Fitzgerald named him captain when he did. It was so he could understand what it took to be a captain in the league and gain experience. Both Hischier and Fitzgerald went through similar experiences as captains.

“That first year. Short runway, shortened season. Let him understand what it means to be a captain now and the following season (last year) he can be a better captain and understand it, Fitzgerald said on the DFO Rundown podcast. “He is growing into that leadership role. He has got some help around him. Surround himself with veteran leadership and experience in the locker room. You are really seeing Nico take that major step in his leadership and it is showing in his game.”

Having the right guys in the room helps as well. Hence why the Devils brought in guys like Dougie Hamilton, Ondrej Palat, Erik Haula, John Marino, and others to help create a culture of winning and guide Hischier in his role of being captain. Having that experience and championship mindset in the room has changed how guys are thinking about themselves and the team.

The leadership qualities were there from the beginning, but now having players to feed off of has made him into an even better captain. He has taken it upon himself to carry this team toward the playoffs.

With Hischier taking the next steps in his development as a player and leader, head coach Lindy Ruff was right when he said after the Devils win against Columbus on Sunday, “we are finally seeing the best version of Nico Hischier.”

Would anyone be surprised if this version of Hischier is a finalist or the winner of the Selke Trophy in the near future?