{"id":11654,"date":"2017-06-24T23:59:54","date_gmt":"2017-06-25T03:59:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=11654"},"modified":"2017-06-27T09:53:38","modified_gmt":"2017-06-27T13:53:38","slug":"nolan-patrick-haunt-new-jersey-devils","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2017\/06\/24\/nolan-patrick-haunt-new-jersey-devils\/","title":{"rendered":"Will Nolan Patrick come back to haunt the New Jersey Devils?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The first overall pick in the NHL Entry Draft<\/a> is a funny thing. In a year like this, all the Philadelphia Flyers (picking 2nd<\/sup>) have to do is select whomever the New Jersey Devils (picking 1st<\/sup>) do not.<\/p>\n

The privilege New Jersey have been gifted also carries great responsibility. They used the honour of their franchise\u2019s first ever Number 1 pick to select Swiss centre Nico Hischier<\/strong><\/a> out of the Halifax Mooseheads.<\/p>\n

In a class possessing no real knockout Number 1 prospect, such as Auston Matthews<\/strong> and Connor McDavid<\/strong> the past two years, the Devils passing up on Canadian centre Nolan Patrick<\/strong><\/a> was still a bit of a surprise.<\/p>\n

Will Nolan Patrick come back to haunt the New Jersey Devils?<\/h2>\n

That\u2019s not to say they didn\u2019t grab a great player and brilliant NHL prospect in Hischier. The 18-year-old left handed shot flew up draft boards this year, and did overtake Patrick on some; just why he did will be discussed later.<\/p>\n

What perhaps stands out most when watching the CHL Rookie of the Year is his speed, and his quickness. Hischier is lighting fast, and jackknifed through defences with ease last year in the QMJHL.<\/p>\n

Scoring 86 points off 38 goals and 48 assists in 57 games last season for Halifax, Mooseheads general manager Cam Russell<\/strong> told NHL.com<\/a> of a player with much more than offensive zone prowess to his game.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe plays a complete game, he’s not one-dimensional. He’s got world-class skills, great hands, great vision, but he’s also our best defensive player,\u201d Russell said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you have a player that is your most skilled and basically your best player on the team, and he’s also your best defensive player, it provides great leadership for your younger players.\u201d<\/p>\n

Next Season<\/h3>\n

These are all fantastic qualities for a rookie to bring to an NHL club. However, how much or whether Hischier contributes to NJ\u2019s campaign next year is unknown.<\/p>\n

Consensus seems to be that he may be given another year to develop his skills, as well as his 6’2″, 179 pound frame, although SB Nation\u2019s John Fischer believes he is every chance<\/a> to be on the roster next season.<\/p>\n

It has been noted that he did struggle in his lone professional year for SC Bern in Switzerland\u2019s NLA before coming to North America to further his career.<\/p>\n

Alongside Taylor Hall<\/strong>, Hischier could help jumpstart at New Jersey offence that ranked third last in the League last season in. On paper, they seem to fit well together.<\/p>\n

Hall was certainly pleased to have Hischier coming to Newark, tweeting this shortly after the pick was announced:<\/p>\n

\n

Huge welcome @nicohischier<\/a> to NJ. Excited to have you! \ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udded<\/p>\n

— Taylor Hall (@hallsy09) June 23, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n