Nico Hischier

Taken with the No. 1 overall pick in 2017, Hischier was solid right out of the gate, but still took a few years to realize his potential. However, after providing 31 goals and 80 points in 81 contests in 2022-23 followed by 27 markers and 67 points in 71 games last season, it's safe to say he's arrived. Still just 25 (he'll turn 26 on Jan. 4), the Swiss forward has firmly solidified himself as a vital part of the Devils' top six. If Hischier can avoid the injury issues that limited his last campaign, then he should be a good bet to once again reach the 30-goal and 80-point milestones. He will also provide some added value in leagues that value faceoffs -- he won 56.6 percent of his draws last season for a total of 785 and expecting a similar level of success in 2024-25 is reasonable.

Hischier buried 31 goals with 80 points - setting a new career high in both categories - across 81 games last season. He racked up 256 shots on goal with 19 power-play points and a plus-33 rating. The 24-year-old lined up as the team's second-line center behind Jack Hughes but still averaged 19:17 of ice time during the 2022-23 campaign. Hischier will skate in the same role again this year and should produce at a similar level. He's posted a double-digit shooting percentage in each of his first six NHL seasons, so he's in a good spot to record another 30-goal performance.

Hischier has gotten a bit of a bad rap because he hasn't produced at the same level of other prior No. 1 overall picks. Not everyone can be Connor McDavid or Auston Matthews. That doesn't mean Hischier didn't have a real nice season. He finished with a career-high 21 goals and 60 points in 70 games, placing him second in scoring on the team behind winger Jesper Bratt. Hischier seems destined to ultimately settle in as the No. 2 center for the Devils behind Jack Hughes while also seeing significant time with the man advantage on the club's first power-play unit. It may not lead to league-winning production, but it should be more than enough to make Hischier a solid mid-round pick in most fantasy formats.

Hischier was a complete non-factor a season ago, as a leg injury followed by a facial fracture which required surgery ended up limiting him to just 21 games. He posted six goals and 11 points while healthy, although Hischier also finished with a minus-nine rating. Hischier's goal and point totals have dropped in each of his first four NHL seasons. He's failed to meet expectations since being drafted No. 1 overall in 2017, but part of that is due to the fact he plays for a New Jersey team which is seemingly always in turmoil. There's theoretical breakout potential here, but fantasy managers would be wise to let another team take the plunge in the middle rounds of your draft.

A breakout rookie campaign in which Hischier racked up 20 goals and 52 points undoubtedly excited the Devils faithful. Unfortunately, the 20-year-old playmakers's productivity has taken a turn in the wrong direction since his debut in 2017-18, with last season's 14 goals and 22 helpers both marking new career lows. Still, it's not all doom and gloom for Hischier, who is expected to center the Devils' top line while taking on an expanded role with the man advantage in 2020-21. An expanded power-play role as well as increased responsibilities at eventh strength could help Hischier return to the form he displayed during his rookie season. He's worth a look in the mid-to-late rounds of this year's drafts.

After being selected first overall in the 2017 draft, Hischier scored 52 points as a rookie and added 47 in his sophomore season. That's respectable production but nothing to write home about, and he could end up relinquishing the No. 1 center job with a more hyped top pick joining the fold in Jack Hughes. Hischier has plenty of upside if he can hold off Hughes and stay on the first line in the Devils' top-heavy lineup, but his floor is also pretty low should he slip down to the second line given his lack of growth in his first two seasons.

Hischier made an instant impact after being selected first overall in the 2017 draft, recording 20 goals and 32 assists while playing in all 82 games. The Swiss center doesn't turn 20 until Jan. 4, so it's safe to say his best days are still ahead of him. All but six of Hischier's points last season came at even strength, and that 5-on-5 success can be credited to skating on the same line as superstar winger Taylor Hall. Hischier faces almost no competition for the first-line center spot, so he should benefit from Hall's brilliance once again as a sophomore. Given his robust skill set, the young pivot is also capable of taking a major step forward with the extra man after totaling only six power-play points as a rookie.

Selected first overall in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, Hischier brings a dynamic offensive presence to a Devils team that's ranked no better than 27th in league scoring for the past five years. The 18-year-old Swiss National manufactured a whopping 38 goals, 48 assists and plus-20 rating with the Halifax Mooseheads of the QMJHL last regular season before eclipsing a point per game in the playoffs for his junior club. Having lit it up in the preseason -- we're talking four goals in as many games to complement three assists -- Hischier cracked the Opening Night lineup and pulled down a top-six job, so he can be deployed in all league settings immediately.