New Jersey Devils’ 2025-26 Report Cards: Nico Hischier – The Hockey Writers – New Jersey Devils

The New Jersey Devils’ 2025-26 season was a whirlwind of unpredictability, featuring no shortage of injuries, instability, and scoring slumps. Despite making a decent push at the very end of the season, they were unable to secure a postseason spot. Finishing the season 42-37-3, the Devils are looking to have an active offseason, as they try to take another step toward becoming a serious Stanley Cup contender.

All season long, every player on the roster contributed one way or another, with some making a greater impact than others. Let’s take a look at how their captain, Nico Hischier, performed throughout the 2025-26 season.

Hischier’s 2025-26 Performance

For the second time in his NHL career, Hischier played a full 82-game campaign, ending the season with 66 points — 28 goals and 38 assists. Not only did he lead the club in goals, but he also had the team’s lead in power-play goals, scoring 11 times on the man advantage. He recorded six game-winning goals, three of which were in overtime, while averaging 2.6 shots on goal and 20:43 ice time per game.

Much like the rest of the team, Hischier started the season strong, with 10 points in October and 13 points in November. He found the back of the net for his first goal in the second game of the season, with two points in the Devils’ 5-3 win against the Tampa Bay Lightning. By the end of 2025-26, he’d go on to have 18 multi-point games, including a seven-game point streak toward the end of March.

Even though the Devils struggled in the second half of the season, Hischier still made an impact, finding his way onto the scoresheet night after night. For example, he made critical overtime plays in January, with game-winning goals against the Seattle Kraken and the Nashville Predators. 

Then in February, he made his Olympic debut for Switzerland, playing a critical role in the team’s initial success. In total, Hischier finished the tournament with four points in five games, which included a three-point game against Italy that helped send Switzerland to the quarterfinals.

Hischier finished the season strong in New Jersey, with 24 points in the Devils’ final 25 games. He ended 2025-26 as one of the team’s leading contributors, making a difference with his two-way play, faceoff abilities, and solid defensive efforts.

Hischier’s Impact for the Devils

Alongside teammate Jesper Bratt, Hischier is the longest tenured player on the roster. This marked his ninth season in the NHL and his sixth as captain of the Devils. Since being drafted first overall in 2017, he’s been a franchise cornerstone and generational talent — and this season was no different.

Hischier remains an elite 200-foot player, and his point production has been the Devils’ saving grace more often than not. For the last five seasons, he’s hit the 60-point mark, setting a career-high of 80 points in 2022-23, then a personal best of 35 goals in 2024-25. He’s also made three playoff appearances throughout his career, earning 12 points across 22 games.

As an all-situations player, the team relies on Hischier to deliver in the faceoff circle, in front of the net, and on the Devils’ special teams. And as always, he doesn’t disappoint. In fact, he led the NHL in both faceoffs taken (1,808) and faceoffs won (1,008) this season. He also had a total of 211 shots on goal, 103 of which were high-danger, putting him in the 99th percentile among the league’s forwards.

He logs significant minutes against opposing teams’ top lines, offering solid defense while also maintaining a high point production. Hischier’s work ethic and leadership are nothing short of commendable — especially when times get tough. 

Hischier’s Future With the Devils

Hischier is entering the final season of his seven-year deal, which carries a $7.25 million cap hit. He is eligible to sign an extension starting July 1, and it is expected that he will re-sign to another long-term contract. Now that Sunny Mehta has been named the next general manager (GM), extending the captain needs to be an offseason priority. 

Given his value to the team and his dependability, Hischier’s new contract should have a much higher average annual value (AAV), possibly anywhere from $10-12 million. As an essential member of the Devils’ roster, he needs to be locked into New Jersey’s core for as long as possible.

Overall Grade

After an exceptional performance where he went above and beyond in 2025-26, Hischier’s overall grade is an A+. He continues to be a catalyst for the Devils at both ends of the ice and kept the team afloat while dealing with a multitude of injuries. Likewise, he wears many hats for the team, all while serving as their top-line center. But even after all the challenges this season posed, his belief in the team never faltered, and he shared his thoughts during end-of-season interviews last week. “Obviously, we’re proving ourselves and showing what kind of team we could be, and I think that’s why we’ve got to hold on and try to be that over an 82-game season,” said Hischier.

Hischier remains a premier forward for the Devils and is expected to play a major role in 2026-27. Should they compete for a playoff spot next season, there’s no doubt that their captain will lead the way.