Nico
Hischier
C · NJD · Two-way · Elite
- PAL
- 94
- WAR
- 2.8
- Value
- 90
- PTS
- 66
2025-26№ 38 / 615
Nico Hischier (New Jersey Devils) stats and profile: offensive production, ice time, advanced stats, WAR and PAL rating.
Nico Hischier
#13CPlays: Centre · 90% of faceoffs
New Jersey Devils
HEIGHT : 185 cm · WEIGHT : 91 kg · SHOOTS : L
Born : January 3, 1999 · Naters, Switzerland
Drafted : 2017 · NJD · round 1, pick #1
Contract : $7,250,000 · 2020-21 → 2026-27 · Standard Contract (Extension) · UFA · Signing bonus $3,000,000M-NTC
NHL record
| Year | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-27 | New Jersey Devils | 18 | 8 | 5 | 13 | 4 |
| 2025-26 | New Jersey Devils | 82 | 28 | 38 | 66 | 29 |
| 2024-25 | New Jersey Devils | 75 | 35 | 34 | 69 | 20 |
| 2023-24 | New Jersey Devils | 71 | 27 | 40 | 67 | 12 |
| 2022-23 | New Jersey Devils | 81 | 31 | 49 | 80 | 10 |
| 2021-22 | New Jersey Devils | 70 | 21 | 39 | 60 | 17 |
| 2020-21 | New Jersey Devils | 21 | 6 | 5 | 11 | 4 |
| 2019-20 | New Jersey Devils | 58 | 14 | 22 | 36 | 12 |
| 2018-19 | New Jersey Devils | 69 | 17 | 30 | 47 | 24 |
| 2017-18 | New Jersey Devils | 82 | 20 | 32 | 52 | 26 |
| NHL totals | 626 | 206 | 293 | 499 | 158 | |
Playoffs
| Year | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | New Jersey Devils | 5 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 2022-23 | New Jersey Devils | 12 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 2 |
| 2017-18 | New Jersey Devils | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Playoff totals | 22 | 6 | 6 | 12 | 2 | |
Honours
- 🏆 E.J. McGuire Award of Excellenceonce · 2016-17
Nico Hischier: our analysis
2025-26 season: 82 GP, 28 G, 38 A, 66 PTS, -6 +/-, 20:43 TOI. WAR 2.8 (38th of 615) · PAL 94, elite.
In 2025-26, Nico Hischier, 27, posts a PAL Rating of 94 out of 100 (elite), and his WAR of 2.8 ranks 38th among 615 regulars, in the top quarter.
His strengths: power play (96, among the best in the league), creation (92, among the best in the league) and possession (90, among the best in the league).
Breaking down his WAR (goals above average), his biggest contribution: EV offense (+8.2); his biggest cost: finishing (-3.0).
A slight dip from 2024-25, when his PAL was 98; his WAR went from 4.8 to 2.8.
Contract-wise, his Value score of 90 (exceptional value) weighs his output against what he costs: 50 is what that salary should buy.
Nico Hischier's story
Growing up in Naters and learning to skate in nearby Visp, Nico Hischier moved to Bern as a teenager to follow his older brother and take the next step in his development. That move opened doors into Switzerland’s top youth tiers and, during 2015–16, led to appearances with both EHC Visp and SC Bern’s senior team when injuries created opportunities.
Seeking faster competition, Hischier joined the Halifax Mooseheads for the 2016–17 QMJHL season. He finished the campaign with 86 points in 57 games, led QMJHL rookies in goals and points, and collected multiple rookie honours including the Michael Bossy Trophy and the CHL Rookie of the Year award. Strong showings at junior international events further elevated his standing among draft prospects.
Selected first overall by the New Jersey Devils at the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, Hischier signed a three-year entry-level deal on 15 July 2017 and made the opening-night roster after a productive preseason. He recorded his first NHL point on 9 October and scored his first NHL goals ten days later, closing his rookie year with 52 points and helping New Jersey reach the playoffs for the first time since 2012.
His tenure with the Devils has mixed setbacks and breakthroughs: a seven-year contract extension in October 2019, being named team captain in February 2021, and a career-high 80 points (31 goals, 49 assists) in 2022–23 which earned him a Frank J. Selke Trophy nomination. Injuries have interrupted several seasons, and he has also been the target of suspensions stemming from opponent hits.
Internationally, Hischier represented Switzerland at U18 tournaments, multiple World Junior Championships and senior World Championships, contributing nine points in the 2019 World Championship and winning a silver medal in 2024. He captained the Swiss team in 2025 before a tournament injury and was named to the 2026 Olympic roster. Known as a complete two-way centre with strong skating and hockey sense, he models aspects of his game on Pavel Datsyuk and wears number 13.
Facts drawn from Wikipédia, told in our own words.
Advanced stats
- TOI/GP
- 18:08
- PP TOI/GP
- 3:26
- SH TOI/GP
- 1:18
- Pts/GP
- 0.72
- EV points
- 6
- Hits
- 15
- Blocks
- 11
- Takeaways
- 2
- Corsi % (SAT)
- 59.6 %
- Off. zone starts
- 32.3 %
- Faceoffs
- 58.2 %
Stats and photos: NHL (NHL.com)
2026-27 projection
Projected points
63between 42 and 78 (80% range)
- Goals
- 30
- Assists
- 33
- Games
- 81
So far: 13 pts in 18 games. The team has played 18 of 84 games. Projected pace: 0.79 pts per game (last season: 0.80).
The projection follows last season's pace. Tested on 2,265 player seasons (2022-23 to 2025-26): average miss of 9 points over 82 games; for players at 0.9 points per game and up, it ran 5 points high on average.
Trend
Stable
- Points per game: 0.94 in 23-24, 0.80 in 25-26
- PAL Rating: 98 → 94
Outlook, age included
→ StableAge 27: prime years
This is only a projection. It knows nothing about injuries, trades or role changes; one player in five finishes outside the range.
Player ratings, 2025-26
All ratings →Fourteen ratings from 0 to 100 drawn from data, never by hand: 75 = established NHL player, 95+ = elite.
OV · OverallConfidence 85 %
91
Star
- SK
- Skating
- 72
- Confidence 73 %
- ST
- Strength
- 68
- Confidence 88 %
- EN
- Endurance
- 88
- Confidence 80 %
- DU
- Durability
- 85
- Confidence 77 %
- CK
- Checking
- 66
- Confidence 88 %
- FG
- Fighting
- 72
- Confidence 66 %
- DI
- Discipline
- 90
- Confidence 88 %
- FO
- Faceoffs
- 89
- Confidence 94 %
- PA
- Passing
- 87
- Confidence 85 %
- SC
- Scoring
- 88
- Confidence 85 %
- DF
- Defense
- 76
- Confidence 83 %
- PS
- Penalty shot
- 67
- Confidence 8 %
- EX
- Experience
- 81
- Confidence 100 %
Why these ratings?Hide details
SK — Skating72
- Top speed (35 %)36.3 · 78
- Bursts > 20 mph /60 (30 %)5.628 · 74
- Distance /60 (20 %)15.6 · 54
- Speed consistency (15 %)35.9 · 82
ST — Strength68
- Contact absorbed /60 (50 %)3.024 · 64
- Body mass (50 %)-0.103 · 76
EN — Endurance88
- Ice time per game (45 %)18.4 · 89
- Total ice time (20 %)1,595 · 92
- Shift length (15 %)46.9 · 79
- Lowest recent ice time per game (15 %)17.4 · 88
- Special-teams time per game (5 %)4.321 · 93
DU — Durability85
- Share of games played (100 %)0.871 · 85
CK — Checking66
- Hits /60 (70 %)2.394 · 64
- Lowest seasonal rate (20 %)1.9 · 65
- Season volume (10 %)4.078 · 75
FG — Fighting72
- Fights per 82 games (100 %)0.785 · 72
DI — Discipline90
- Net penalty value /60 (50 %)0.077 · 90
- Penalties taken /60 (30 %)0.431 · 85
- Penalties drawn /60 (20 %)0.884 · 81
FO — Faceoffs89
- Faceoff % (85 %)55.1 · 88
- Faceoffs /60 (15 %)63.3 · 97
PA — Passing87
- Primary assists /60 (40 %)0.907 · 85
- Secondary assists /60 (20 %)0.569 · 80
- Offensive creation (RAPM) (20 %)0.342 · 94
- Power-play points /60 (10 %)5.68 · 86
- Assist consistency (10 %)0.793 · 88
SC — Scoring88
- Goals /60 (25 %)1.151 · 86
- Individual xG /60 (20 %)1.103 · 88
- Finishing (goals − xG per shot) (20 %)-0.106 · 77
- High-danger chances /60 (15 %)2.209 · 91
- xG per shot (10 %)0.092 · 91
- Shot attempts /60 (10 %)14.6 · 83
DF — Defense76
- RAPM defense /60 (35 %)0.021 · 76
- Relative xG against (20 %)-0.041 · 75
- On-ice xG against /60 (15 %)2.553 · 78
- Penalty kill /60 (10 %)-0.042 · 70
- Takeaways − giveaways /60 (10 %)-0.992 · 83
- Shot attempts against /60 (5 %)59.2 · 68
- Blocked shots /60 (5 %)2.642 · 75
PS — Penalty shot67
- Shootouts (60 %)32 · 65
- Penalty shots (40 %)26.7 · 76
EX — Experience81
- Career regular-season games (65 %)90
- Career playoff games (25 %)59
- NHL seasons (10 %)78
OV — Overall91
- SC · Scoring (20 %)88
- PA · Passing (20 %)87
- DF · Defense (20 %)76
- SK · Skating (12 %)72
- FO · Faceoffs (10 %)89
- EN · Endurance (8 %)88
- DI · Discipline (5 %)90
- ST · Strength (3 %)68
- CK · Checking (2 %)66
| Season | OV | SK | SC | DF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 91 | 72 | 88 | 76 |
| 2024-25 | 92 | 72 | 91 | 76 |
| 2023-24 | 90 | 76 | 88 | 75 |
| 2022-23 | 96 | 75 | 88 | 85 |
The bars show confidence (sample size), not player quality. — : not enough data, not a zero. Engine version 1.0.
WAR and PAL ratings, 2025-26
How we rate →PAL Rating scores performance from 0 to 100 against players at the same position (50 = average player), starting from the player's strength, offensive or defensive. Value Rating compares that performance with what the player costs: 50 means paid what the play is worth.
WAR
2.8
wins above replacement
38 of 615
PAL Rating
94/ 100
Performance · Elite
25 of 476 at the position
Value Rating
90/ 100
Exceptional value
7.25 M$ · expected PAL 70
ProfileTwo-wayStrong at both ends
- Offense
- 91
- Defense
- 78
See full detailsHide details
- Offense
- 75
- Creation
- 92
- Shooting
- 86
- Possession
- 90
- Defense
- 62
- Discipline
- 68
- Power play
- 96
- Penalty kill
- 79
From 0 to 100; 50 is the average player at the same position, adjusted for ice time.
| Season | Team | WAR | PAL | Value | Cap hit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | NJD | 2.8 | 94 | 90 | 7.25 M$ |
| 2024-25 | NJD | 4.8 | 98 | 98 | 7.25 M$ |
| 2023-24 | NJD | 2.2 | 92 | 81 | 7.25 M$ |
| 2022-23 | NJD | 2.2 | 98 | 98 | 7.25 M$ |
Hockey IQ, 2025-26
Rankings and method →The quality of the player's decisions with and against the puck at 5-on-5, against regulars at the same position (50 = average). PAL measures output; IQ measures how the player plays.
Overall IQ
92/ 100
Elite
better than 92% of forwards, offense and defense combined
Offensive IQ
87/ 100
Very good
passing, shots, puck
Defensive IQ
77/ 100
Very good
takeaways, discipline, own zone
Why 92, higher than both scores? Overall IQ isn't an average, it's a rank: 32 of 424 forwards. Few players are good at both ends at once; being so puts Nico Hischier ahead of almost everyone else.
See full detailsHide details
Offense
- Playmaking passes
- 53
- Shot selection
- 93
- Penalties drawn
- 59
- Puck management
- 42
Defense
- Takeaways
- 49
- Discipline
- 78
- Safe zone exits
- 60
Percentiles: 80 means better than 80% of regulars at the same position. Play without the puck (positioning, coverage) isn't measured: the NHL doesn't publish that data.
| Season | Team | IQ | Off. | Def. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | NJD | 92 | 87 | 77 |
| 2024-25 | NJD | 97 | 98 | 68 |
| 2023-24 | NJD | 100 | 96 | 96 |
| 2022-23 | NJD | 100 | 99 | 100 |
WAR, 2025-26
How it's calculated →Wins added to the team, compared with a replacement-level player called up from the AHL.
2.8
wins above replacement
0.6 to 4.3 — 90% interval
38 of 615 forwards
+14.6 goals above replacement
Full leaderboard →See full detailsHide details
- EV offense
- +8.2
- EV defense
- +0.7
- Power play
- +3.3
- Penalty kill
- -0.1
- Shooting
- -3.0
- Penalties
- +1.4
- Average → replacement
- +4.2
In goals.
| Season | Team | GP | WAR | 90% interval | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | NJD | 82 | 2.8 | 0.6 to 4.3 | 38/615 |
| 2024-25 | NJD | 71 | 4.8 | 2.8 to 5.3 | 7/596 |
| 2023-24 | NJD | 71 | 2.2 | 0.6 to 4.3 | 60/608 |
| 2022-23 | NJD | 81 | 2.2 | 0.8 to 4.0 | 50/617 |
Player tracking (NHL EDGE)
League EDGE leaderboards →Speed, shot power, distance covered, time by zone: measured by chips in the puck and shoulder pads. 90th percentile = better than 90% of players.
- Hardest shot
- 134.3 km/h58th percentileleague avg. 130.1 km/h
- Top skating speed
- 34.5 km/h31st percentileleague avg. 35.2 km/h
- Bursts over 20 mph, season
- 2261st percentileleague avg. 21
- Offensive zone time
- 44.9 %80th percentileleague avg. 43.1 %
See full detailsHide details
- Total distance, season
- 72.3 km74th percentileleague avg. 52.2 km
- Distance, single-game high
- 5.00 km66th percentileleague avg. 4.52 km
- Offensive zone at 5v5
- 42.1 %71st percentileleague avg. 42.4 %
- Neutral zone time
- 17.4 %20th percentileleague avg. 16.8 %
- Defensive zone time
- 37.7 %72nd percentileleague avg. 40.1 %
Shooting
| Shots on goal | Goals | Shooting % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All | 4188th percentile | 791st percentile | 17.1 %66th percentile |
| High danger | 2195th percentile | 699th percentile | 28.6 %75th percentile |
| Mid range | 1488th percentile | 177th percentile | 7.1 %37th percentile |
| Long range | 031st percentile | 092nd percentile | 0.0 %0th percentile |
Shots on goal by zone
2026-2027 regular season. Measured by puck and player tracking chips; the percentile ranks the player within the league.
Game log, 2026-27
🔥 2-game point streak
TOR
NYI
STL
EDM
VGK
COL
DAL
LAK
ANA
WSH
NYR
DET
OTT
VAN
UTA
PHINico Hischier: frequently asked questions
How many goals does Nico Hischier have in 2026-27?
Nico Hischier has 8 goals and 13 points (5 assists) in 18 games in 2026-27.
How old is Nico Hischier?
Nico Hischier is 27 years old: he was born on January 4, 1999.
How tall is Nico Hischier, and how much does he weigh?
Nico Hischier is 6'1" (185 cm) and weighs 201 lb (91 kg).
Where is Nico Hischier from?
Switzerland: Nico Hischier was born in Naters, Switzerland.
What team does Nico Hischier play for?
Nico Hischier plays for the New Jersey Devils in the NHL, at C, wearing number 13.
Is Nico Hischier injured?
No: Nico Hischier is not on the latest NHL injury report. This answer is updated throughout the season.
How good is Nico Hischier?
Nico Hischier produced 2.8 wins above replacement (WAR) in 2025-26, 38th of 615 players at his position in the NHL. His PAL rating is 94 out of 100: elite for his position.
How much does Nico Hischier make?
Nico Hischier earns $7.3M for the 2025-26 season. His Value Rating is 90 out of 100 (exceptional value): it measures the on-field return for that salary, compared with players at his position.
When does Nico Hischier's contract end?
Nico Hischier's contract runs through the 2026-27 season; he will then be an unrestricted free agent. It includes a M-NTC clause.
Is Nico Hischier overpaid?
No, he gives more than he costs. His Value rating is 90 out of 100 (exceptional value), where 50 is the output expected for his salary, compared with players at his position.
Is Nico Hischier a top-10 player at his position?
No: by WAR, he ranks 38th of 615 players at his position in the NHL in 2025-26. Our comparison tool puts him side by side with any other player.
Is Nico Hischier getting better?
No, he is slipping: his PAL rating went from 98 in 2024-25 to 94 in 2025-26 (out of 100, 50 = average player at his position).
How has Nico Hischier played lately?
Over his last 10 games, Nico Hischier has 8 points (4 goals, 4 assists).
What are Nico Hischier's career stats?
Over his NHL career, Nico Hischier has 626 games, 206 goals, 293 assists and 499 points. His best season: 2022-23, with 80 points in 81 games.
Where was Nico Hischier drafted?
Nico Hischier was drafted 1st overall (round 1) by New Jersey Devils in 2017.
Is Nico Hischier better at home or on the road?
No real difference: in 2026-27, he averages 0.70 points per game at home (7 in 10 games) and 0.75 on the road (6 in 8 games).
How does Nico Hischier perform in the playoffs?
In the playoffs, Nico Hischier has 22 games and 12 points in his career. His pace (0.55 points per game) is lower than his regular-season pace (0.80).
Which player is most similar to Nico Hischier?
Roope Hintz: he is the player at his position whose PAL profile (the 0-to-100 dimensions) is closest to his in 2025-26.
Roope Hintz's page →Is Nico Hischier a good fantasy pick?
Yes, a solid pick: our projection has him at 63 points in 2026-27, or 0.78 points per game.
Does Nico Hischier have siblings?
Yes: his brother Luca Hischier (plays for Genève-Servette HC in the Swiss National League), his sister Nina Hischier (played volleyball at a high level in Switzerland).
Is Nico Hischier related to anyone famous?
Yes: Rino Hischier (father, played football for FC Naters).
What is Nico Hischier's nationality?
Nico Hischier is Swiss. Internationally: Switzerland — represented Switzerland at multiple junior and senior tournaments; 2019 World Championship (9 points in 8 games); silver medal at the 2024 World Championship; captain and silver medal at the 2025 World Championship (injured during group stage); selected for the 2026 Winter Olympics (7 January 2026).
What awards has Nico Hischier won?
RDS Cup — QMJHL Rookie of the Year (2016–17 season) ; Michael Bossy Trophy — QMJHL top professional prospect (2016–17 season) ; QMJHL Rookie All-Star Team (2016–17 season) ; CHL Rookie of the Year (2016–17 season) ; Nomination for the Frank J. Selke Trophy (2022–23 season).
Where did Nico Hischier play before turning pro?
EHC Visp youth program; joined SC Bern (youth) and played for EHC Visp and SC Bern in 2015–16; Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL) for the 2016–17 season.
How many points is Nico Hischier projected to score in 2026-27?
Our projection has him at 63 points in 81 games in 2026-27 (42 to 78 points, 80% interval), based on his recent seasons, age and role.
See also: his New Jersey Devils teammates
Full roster →
NHL.com ↗ · Stats and photos: NHL (NHL.com)