Paris - Nico Hescher He looks at the flurry of moves the New Jersey Devils have made this season and sees them as fuel for his upbeat nature.
New Jersey has added two veterans to the front Ondrej Balatwho signed a five-year contract worth $30 million (average annual value of $6 million) on July 14, and the man of defense Brendan Smith, who signed a two-year contract worth $2.2 million (US$1.1 million) on July 13. They also got the goalkeeper Vitik Vanishek In trade with Washington Capitals on July 8, forward Eric Hola In a trade with the Boston Bruins on July 13, the defenseman John Marino From Pittsburgh Penguins on July 16.
“Just looking at the list now, we feel more comfortable. We feel confident,” Hescher said. “These upcoming players can definitely help us with their playing style, with their experience, and that is something we need. We did this summer, and that’s why the enthusiasm is there to get back to work and see where we are.”
Hescher admitted that missing out on the Stanley Cup playoffs in the past four seasons has been mentally tough, particularly last season, when the Devils (27-46-9) were unable to overcome a slew of injuries and finished 37 points behind the Washington Capitals for the second time. Wild Card in the playoffs in the Eastern Conference.
But the 23-year-old said he believes New Jersey can make the jump this season and back into the postseason for the first time since his rookie season in 2017-18.
“I really believe. I think we can surprise,” he said. “I think we have a good team, and I’m excited if we all stay healthy to see how dangerous we can take.”
NHL.com met Heischer on the NHL Players European Media Tour on August 24. The forward, who scored his NHL career highs in goals (21), assists (39) and points (60) in 70 games last season, discussed the importance of adding Balat, his development as a player and attacking captain. Jack Hughes“Progress as a player, and more.
What can Palat, who played 10 seasons in the NHL and won the Stanley Cup twice with the Tampa Bay Lightning, bring to your locker room?
“That’s exactly, his winning experience. He’s been playing in Tampa for a while and won two cups, last year in the final, he knows what it takes. We’re a young group and we have to see what he’s doing. He can definitely help us a lot because if you can take things out From his experience, the best case is that we’re going to be this Tampa team at some point. That’s definitely our goal and he’s definitely a good guy on our side right now.”
What can he offer demons on ice?
“That’s the other thing too with him. He plays the right way. He plays hard and hard to play against and he can score and be productive offensively. That’s basically all you can ask of a teammate, to be an influential player, to have the guts and be Really competitive.”
How difficult was the lack of playoffs in the past four seasons?
“Yeah, it’s really challenging and I put a lot of pressure on myself too. I want to help the team get there, and I know I can’t do it myself. But what we’re building in jersey, I’m excited about it.” We have great players there and I’m excited about the new players coming and I’m just looking forward to coming back again. I also learned that it is not easy to do those qualifiers. My first year, go with the flow, don’t really think too much. And the past four years have shown me, no, it’s definitely not easy to win consistently in this league.”
How do you think you played last season?
“Personally, I’m happy with my year. I was able to do what I tried to do for the team. But on the other hand, once I hear that, I say, ‘I’m happy with my year,’ it doesn’t really matter to me. I’d be much happier if we were going to do the playoffs. So from It’s always hard to say I’m happy with a year you weren’t in the playoffs.”
What have you learned in your two seasons as a captain (Hischier was the youngest active captain in the NHL at 22 when he was named in 2021)?
“Like I just said, I’ve learned that winning consistently in that league isn’t easy. Making those playoffs, 16 out of 32 teams, isn’t easy, and that’s definitely what I’ve learned. For me, I don’t want to change either. A lot. I want to be the same guy. Who I used to be. I want to lead my way and I just want to play the right way and always be the first on the team.”
Is your way to lead with your toys?
“Exactly. I want to set an example. Sure if something needs to be said, I’m not afraid to speak up and say it. I always try to be honest with myself and honest with my teammates, and I feel like that’s how you improve a team. But I always want to I’m that guy who first sees that I’ve made a mistake or that guy who wants to make a difference at a certain point in the game just by leading by example.”
Hughes missed some time with injuries last season, but he seemed to make a big move last season, his third in the NHL, with 56 points (26 goals, 30 assists) in 49 games. How did he grow as a player?
“Really good for us. We obviously know what kind of player Jack is. He’s a very talented player. He plays hard too. He’s really good with a stick. He can sequentially lift some sticks and get some pucks back. It’s obviously what they expect from him and seeing him do what they expect, It’s not easy. I know that and I’m really glad he took those steps and I’m sure we’ll see more really good things from Jack because he’s still growing, he’s still getting better. So I’m even excited to see him next year.”
The Demons added another promising young player by selecting the defender Simon Nemec With the No. 2 pick in the 2022 NHL Draft. Having passed him by yourself as the first pick in the 2017 NHL Draft, how can you help him in his first NHL training camp?
“Just be there for him on and off the ice. Play-wise, he’s got the tools. I think mentally it’s just a little different in the first year than you’re used to in the draft year, so it’s all just everywhere off the ice. It’s clearly there.” On the ice too, but you’re drafted into this position because you have the tools and you just have to understand how to blend everything and focus, so you can achieve what you have. I’ll definitely try to help him as much as I can and have an open ear with anything.”
What do the Devils have to do to get back into the playoffs this season?
“Be more consistent. I think that’s the main thing. Understand that an 82-game season can’t always be perfect and that when you lose two or three games, you can go back to a five-game winning streak or something like that. Don’t get out of the race. That’s the main thing. Understand that, learn that and be more consistent by winning.”