Corralling the Captain: New Jersey Devils begin Extension Talks with Nico Hischier

About this episode

The episode discusses the New Jersey Devils' contract extension talks with captain Nico Hischier and explores potential offseason strategies and targets.

The New Jersey Devils have initiated preliminary contract extension discussions with their captain, Nico Hischier, who is entering the final year of his current deal. Zach Berman explains that new general manager Sunny Mehta is proactively reaching out to Hischier’s camp, with both sides indicating a clear interest in keeping the captain in New Jersey for the long term. The most commonly predicted contract figure is around 8 years, $88 million (an $11 million AAV), putting Hischier among the league’s top-paid two-way centers as the NHL’s salary cap rises. Zach Berman underscores that locking in Hischier—an irreplaceable leader who has been vocal about his desire to win a Stanley Cup in New Jersey—is essential for the team's ambitions. Discussion also centers on potential offseason targets, most prominently Ottawa captain Brady Tkachuk, who had a disappointing playoff series but remains a highly productive and physically imposing forward. Zach Berman cautions, however, against acquiring Tkachuk at the expense of key core players like Hischier or Jesper Bratt, arguing that the Devils should build around these foundational pieces rather than "blow it up" in response to short-term…

People in this episode

Hosts: Trey Matthews, Zach Berman

Topics covered

• contract extension
• Nico Hischier
• New Jersey Devils
• NHL salary cap
• Brady Tkachuk
• goaltending issues

Keywords

• Nico Hischier
• contract extension
• New Jersey Devils
• Brady Tkachuk
• NHL
• goaltending
• Zach Berman

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Sunny Mehta, New Jersey Devils

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