The New Jersey Devils are in a state of flux right now. They fired GM Tom Fitzgerald, following widespread discontent surrounding his roster management.
The coming offseason is critical for New Jersey, and whoever assumes charge of the front office will have their fair share of work cut out for them. However, according to a former Devils player, if there is one thing the franchise should not be in two minds about, it’s retaining captain Nico Hischier.
Mike Rupp Wants New Jersey Devils to Hold on to Nico Hischier
With 83 points in 78 games, the Devils are eliminated from the playoffs. Last season, the franchise qualified for the playoffs but failed to make a deep run, succumbing to the Carolina Hurricanes in double overtime in Game 5 of the first round.
The Devils were supposed to pick up from where they finished last season, but have fallen short of expectations by a mile.
The Devils not only have to bounce back from this season’s failures, but must also urgently address the uncertainty surrounding Hischier’s future with the team. Hischier is a part of the team’s core that any future GM would want to reconstruct the Devils around, but when asked if he wants to sign an extension this coming summer, the 27-year-old’s response raised more questions than answers.
“I still have one more year. I’m with the Devils right now, and then we’ll see what happens,” was Hischier’s answer.
However, according to former Devils player Mike Rupp, Hischier is an indispensable part of the current lineup and should not be let go.
“You can’t let a guy like Nico Hischier go, in my opinion. And if you do, you’ve got to get an absolute haul back. His number, certainly north of 10,” Rupp argued, saying that Hischier’s next contract should have a cap hit of no less than $10 million. Per Rupp, the Devils captain deserves much more than that.
Highlighting the massive role Hischier currently plays on the team, Rupp stated that when Jack Hughes was out of the lineup, the 27-year-old rose to the occasion. “When Jack was out, they kind of stacked their top line. Nico was carrying this team for weeks.”
Rupp even went so far as to suggest that Hischier might be among his top 12 or 13, if not his top 10, NHL centers.
The Devils must surely hold on to Hischier if the 27-year-old gives off even the faintest idea that he wants to keep playing with the team. Hischier is reliable and finished fourth in the 2024-25 Selke Trophy voting. However, if he absolutely must leave, the incoming GM’s top priority must be to ensure the Devils get the most out of a move involving Hischier.
