Yahoo Sports OPINION: Devils' Nico Hischier Should Be In Hart Trophy Conversations
Every NHL season, select Professional Hockey Writers' Association members vote on which player is worthy of the Hart Memorial Trophy. The award is given "to the player adjudged to be the most valuable to his team."
Each individual voter ranks their top five candidates. Three finalists are named, and the trophy is awarded at the NHL Awards at the conclusion of the playoffs.
Past winners include Nathan MacKinnon, Connor McDavid, and Auston Matthews. What all three of them have in common is they were not only the best offensively on their team but were among, if not the best, in the league.
When analyzing which players are the most valuable to their team, it is hard not to put New Jersey Devils captain Nico Hischier in that conversation based on his performance to start the 2024-25 season.
At the time of publication, Hischier is first on the Devils in goals (16) and third in points (29) behind Jack Hughes (41) and Jesper Bratt (42). After scoring 10 goals in October, the captain offensively cooled down except for his first career hat trick against the Nashville Predators on Nov. 25.
The thing is, Hischier's value can't be judged by his point totals alone.
In addition to playing on the team's top power play unit, he is heavily relied upon on the penalty kill. He currently leads all forwards, averaging 2:07 of shorthanded ice time per game, the same amount as defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler.
To start the season, the 25-year-old's defensive play has been outstanding. Hischier has won a league-leading 172 defensive zone face-offs and leads all Devils forwards in blocked shots with 28.
"He has been so strong in the face-off circle, taking those responsibilities seriously and recognizing that is part of his job," Keefe previously said of Hischier. "In some cases, he is going to give up some offense in order to be in the right spots and to do a good job there. I think that it is important for him to pick his spots."
With Michael McLeod's departure, the Devils needed help in the face-off circle, and Hischier has carried a majority the weight. Through 34 games, the Swiss center has taken a league-leading 809 face-offs, 26 more than Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby, and has won 451.
To understand how much Keefe and his staff rely on Hischier on a nightly basis to get his team puck possession, he has taken 433 more face-offs than his teammate, Erik Haula.
Examining Hischier's contributions through an objective lens, one can see that there is not a single facet of the game where he does not make a positive impact on the ice.
"When I look at, certainly Nico, he's the most consistent player on our team, one of the most consistent guys in the league to start this season," Keefe said of his captain. "He has been exceptional on both sides of the puck. I have been so impressed coaching this guy."
Oct 27, 2024; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils center Nico Hischier (13) walks to the locker room after warmups for their game against the Anaheim Ducks at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images
In 2023, Hischier was named a finalist for the Selke Trophy, given annually to the forward voted best to excel in the defensive aspects of the game, and finished second in voting behind Patrice Bergeron.
It seems inevitable that before he retires, Hischier will have at least one Selke Trophy in his trophy case, but is it time for a bigger conversation?
The 2017 first-overall pick has been instrumental in his team's success. He contributes in all three zones, whether scoring goals, shutting down opposing teams' top-line players, winning critical face-offs, or sacrificing his body to block a shot.
In addition to his on-ice contributions, his teammates have and continue to value him in the locker room.
"He reminds me of Nicklas Lidstrom, where he came in and does the right things on a daily basis, then people emulate that, and your team kind of grows that way," Brendan Smith said in Nov. 2022. "He's a big part of the organization; we're lucky to have him."
To add to what Smith said, Hischier's teammate Curtis Lazar said, "He's really, I think, the heartbeat of our hockey club."
Feb 18, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; New Jersey Devils center Nico Hischier (13) talks with linesman Steve Barton (59) against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the second period at PPG Paints Arena. The Devils won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
The club is in a good position as the Devils inch closer to the halfway mark of the season. New Jersey is in first place in the Metropolitan Division with a record of 21-10-3 and 45 points. The team is second-best in the league behind the Winnipeg Jets.
There is an argument that the Devils would not be in this position without Hischier's defensive play, reliability in the face-off circle, and offensive contribution, like his performance against the Washington Capitals on Oct. 19.
A lot can happen between mid-December and the NHL Awards, but it is hard to deny how valuable Hischier is to his team. He may not get the national media attention that other plays around the league may get, but with comparisons to Bergeron and Anže Kopitar, it might only be a matter of time.
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