New Jersey Devils captain Nico Hischier opens up about disaster 2023-24 season
The New Jersey Devils are still seen by many as a future Stanley Cup contender, but most believed they were already there two years ago.
Unfortunately, after making the playoffs in 2022-23, the team missed out for the 2023-24 season, due to an entire collapse of what is thought to be the core of a championship team. Captained by 2017 first overall pick Nico Hischier, he has accepted that the team "never got going», and he put a lot of pressure on himself.
In an interview with Elliotte Friedman, Nico Hischier explained all of his feelings from the frustrating and unsuccessful 2023-24 season:
Also very happy: Devils captain Nico Hischier, also using the word «excitement» to describe New Jersey's moves. Last season was not fun for him or his team. «It's always easier to be the underdog. It was definitely a bit overwhelming sometimes last year, but I think a great learning lesson. Every year is newit's another roller-coaster and you've got to grow as a group the longer the season gets. You've got to stick together because anything is possible.»
Two years ago, when the Devils beat the Rangers in the playoffs, they had a long winning streak in November, so the cushion was created. Nothing like that in 2023-24. «We never got going.» Anyone who knows Hischier knows he wears it hard when things go badly. «I always want to win,» he said. «That's not a secret. I hate losing. As a captain I want to do more, I need to do moreWas I frustrated? Yes it just sucks. You obviously want the team to do betterSometimes I have to go home and say to myself, I gave everything I can. That's it.»
In the middle of a tough year, a few Devils gave Hischier major credit for never saying no to charitable or important requests. «We are in a spot where you do little things that have an impact. Even if it's just a little smile or make a family happy - a small thing we can do (becomes a big thing for them). It's hard to say no to that.» That's terrific stuff, and very true. I liked what New Jersey did. They had a good off-season.
Two years ago, when the Devils beat the Rangers in the playoffs, they had a long winning streak in November, so the cushion was created. Nothing like that in 2023-24. «We never got going.» Anyone who knows Hischier knows he wears it hard when things go badly. «I always want to win,» he said. «That's not a secret. I hate losing. As a captain I want to do more, I need to do moreWas I frustrated? Yes it just sucks. You obviously want the team to do betterSometimes I have to go home and say to myself, I gave everything I can. That's it.»
In the middle of a tough year, a few Devils gave Hischier major credit for never saying no to charitable or important requests. «We are in a spot where you do little things that have an impact. Even if it's just a little smile or make a family happy - a small thing we can do (becomes a big thing for them). It's hard to say no to that.» That's terrific stuff, and very true. I liked what New Jersey did. They had a good off-season.
It was certainly a trying year for Nico Hischier, but hopefully it will pay off in a big way... soon.
Source Sportsnet:
32 Thoughts: A collection of late off-season notes
| POLL | ||
AOÛT 26 | 120 ANSWERS New Jersey Devils captain Nico Hischier opens up about disaster 2023-24 season Do you think the New Jersey Devils will make the playoffs in the 2024-25 season? | ||
| Yes | 71 | 59.2 % |
| No | 49 | 40.8 % |
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NOVEMBER 23, 2024
| G | A | PTS | ||
| Mikko Rantanen | 1 | 3 | 4 | |
| Jake Debrusk | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
| Dylan Guenther | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
| Connor McDavid | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
| Ivan Barbashev | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| Jack Eichel | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| Brock Nelson | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| Valeri Nichushkin | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| Clayton Keller | - | 3 | 3 | |
| Anthony Cirelli | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Jonathan Drouin | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Roman Josi | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Kirill Marchenko | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Kyle Palmieri | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Artemi Panarin | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Sebastian Aho | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Evan Bouchard | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Rasmus Dahlin | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Leon Draisaitl | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Matt Duchene | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Complete stats | ||||
| STANDINGS 2024-2025 | ||||||
TOP 10 | GP | W | L | OL | PTS | |
Jets | 21 | 17 | 4 | - | 34 | |
Wild | 20 | 13 | 3 | 4 | 30 | |
Devils | 23 | 14 | 7 | 2 | 30 | |
Hurricanes | 20 | 14 | 5 | 1 | 29 | |
Golden Knights | 21 | 13 | 6 | 2 | 28 | |
Capitals | 20 | 13 | 6 | 1 | 27 | |
Flames | 21 | 12 | 6 | 3 | 27 | |
Stars | 19 | 13 | 6 | - | 26 | |
Maple Leafs | 20 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 26 | |
Rangers | 19 | 12 | 6 | 1 | 25 | |
| Conference | Cumulative | ||||||