New Jersey Devils sign Nico Hischier to $58.5m contract extension
New Jersey Devils captain Nico Hischier has signed a five-year contract extension worth $58.5m to remain with the NHL franchise through the 2031-32 season.
The 27-year-old currently has one year remaining on a deal that carries a $7.25m cap hit.
His lucrative new agreement will take effect ahead of the 2027-28 campaign, raising his cap hit to $11.7m.
Ending trade rumours
The massive extension firmly ends mounting speculation regarding the centre’s future following the arrival of new general manager Sunny Mehta.
Rumours had circulated across the league that the former number one overall draft pick might seek a fresh start away from Newark.
The organisation has endured periods of locker room dysfunction in recent seasons, leading to suggestions that an underachieving roster could be broken up for significant draft capital.
Instead, the franchise cornerstone has chosen to commit his prime years to the team that drafted him in 2017.
Leading by example
“When I took this job, I knew that Nico was one of the core pieces that I definitely wanted as part of our future,” said Mehta.
“The way he plays the game, his leadership, and selflessness are qualities we value for this team.”
Now entering his 10th NHL season, the veteran forward registered 28 goals and 38 assists across 82 appearances last year.
Those impressive two-way performances earned him a ninth-place finish in voting for the Selke Trophy, awarded annually to the league’s top defensive forward.
Securing the core
The captain currently sits sixth on the all-time scoring list for the Devils, having amassed 488 points in 609 games.
His new deal keeps him in New Jersey two seasons beyond the expiration of fellow star centre Jack Hughes’s current contract.
“He puts the team before himself and wants nothing more than to win here in New Jersey,” managing partner David Blitzer added.
The structured extension will see the standout forward earn $14.5m in each of his first two seasons under the new terms.