The New Jersey Devils have taken care of some important business at the start of free agency. News emerged on Wednesday that the Devils have taken care of Nico Hischier extension. This deal is for five years and a total of $60 million for the life of the deal. The contract has a $12 million salary cap hit and runs through the end of the 2031-32 season. Former NHL player and current insider Kevin Weekes was the first to break the news.
Nico Hischier and the Devils are closing in on a 5 year extension at around $12M per @KevinWeekes 💰 pic.twitter.com/S9FyiUwK9E
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) July 1, 2026
Nico Hischier Extension Signed by the New Jersey Devils
Hischier has only played for the Devils over his nine-year NHL career. The New Jersey captain totaled 28 goals and 38 assists for 66 points in 82 games. He averaged 20 minutes, 43 seconds of ice time last season, which was almost over two minutes from his career average. The 27-year-old had a Corsi for of 56.5 and a relative Corsi of 7.3.
Hischier has 199 goals and 289 assists for 488 points in 609 career games. New Jersey took Hischier with the top overall pick of the 2017 NHL Draft. The Brig, Switzerland native was a standout with the Halifax Mooseheads of the QMJHL and earned top rookie honours.
He’s also represented his native Switzerland at the international level. Hischier helped Switzerland get a pair of silver medals and the 2024 and 2025 IIHF World Championships. He was also part of the Swiss squad that earned fifth at the Milano Cortina Olympics.
(Credit Image: © David Kirouac/Cal Sport Media)
What It Means
The Nico Hischier extension helps answer a big question for the Devils. New Jersey’s captain is staying put for the foreseeable future. Some fans were hoping for a longer-term deal. However, the rising salary cap means that some players may bet on themselves and get one more last payday.
The Devils will now have their captain and hope they can wash away the taste of a disappointing 2025-26 campaign. This move is one of the first big moves for new general manager Sunny Mehta.
The contract extension will start for 2027-28. Hischier currently makes $7.25 million per season in the final year of his deal.
Main photo by: John Jones-USA TODAY Sports
