Devils sign Nico Hischier to $58.5 million contract extension

The captain is staying in Newark.The Devils announced Wednesday that they have agreed to a five-year, $58.5 million extension with Nico Hischier.The new contract will kick in for the 2027-28 season.Hischier is entering the final year of a $7.5 million-per-year deal.Hischier was selected first overall by New Jersey in the 2017 NHL Draft and made his Devils debut that October.

He played in all 82 games last season and recorded 66 points with a team-leading 28 goals.The forward became one of seven players in franchise history with five or more seasons tallying 60 points.Hischier has 488 points in 609 games for New Jersey, sixth on the franchise’s all-time scoring list.“Since the day he was drafted as the number one overall pick in 2017, Nico Hischier has represented the New Jersey Devils with class, commitment, and a dedication to the community,” owner David Blitzer said in a statement.“When I took this job, I knew that Nico was one of the core pieces that I definitely wanted as part of our future,” general manager Sunny Mehta said.

“The way he plays the game, his leadership, and selflessness are qualities we value for this team.We all look forward to him leading this franchise, on and off the ice, for years to come.”The extension comes after there were questions surrounding Hischier’s future in New Jersey following a disappointing 42-37-3 campaign last season.

Shopping him could have brought back a haul for a Devils team that has underachieved in recent seasons.Instead, Hischier comes back and will be under contract through the 2031-32 season, two seasons after Jack Hughes’ current deal expires....