The New Jersey Devils will be without their top centre Nico Hischier for at least the start of training camp. Hischier suffered a knee injury while training in Switzerland in December. As of now, he does not require surgery and the team believes it is only a matter of days and weeks before he returns.
Some @NJDevils news…Nico Hischier will not be on-ice for the start of camp on Jan. 1. He suffered a leg injury training in Switzerland in early December. Key is Hischier did not have surgery. The Devils do not consider this long-term; a matter of days/weeks.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) December 30, 2020
Nico Hischier to Miss The Start of Devils Training Camp
This is a big loss for the Devils if Hischier has to miss training camp or parts of the season. Hischier is finally coming into his own since the departure of Taylor Hall. Not only is he one of the leaders, but he was elected to his first All-Star Game last season. Heading into the season, he was pegged as the Devils number one centre. Last season, he signed a new seven-year contract extension and is one of the cornerstone pieces along with Jack Hughes. The number one overall pick from 2017 put up 36 points (14 goals and 22 assists) in 58 games last season. Hischier dealt with injuries last season as well. In his career, Hischier has 135 points (51 goals and 84 assists) in 209 games with the Devils. Hischier has been to the playoffs once in 2018 recording one goal in five games.
What The Future Means
The loss of Hischier throws a monkey wrench into the Devils projected lineup. Regardless of how long he is out with an injury, knees are very tricky, especially something so close to the start of training camp. This injury opens up an opportunity for a guy like Jack Hughes to take over the number one centre role. We saw last year when Hughes is put in the right situation, he can have success. If Hischier does come back quickly, the Devils will have a solid one-two punch down the middle. However, if Hischier is out longer, the Devils will have Travis Zajac as a second line and their depth down the middle will be tested.
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