Insider: New Devils GM Might Have To Trade Nico Hischier

The New Jersey Devils' next order of business as the 2025-26 season comes to an end is to name a new president of hockey operations and/or general manager. But whoever the new man on the job is, he'll have a critical top priority to take care of in short order.

Perennial 30-ish goal scorer Nico Hischier is just one year from free agency. As of July 1, he'll be eligible for an extension. Something needs to happen on that front. ASAP, says insider Chris Johnston on his podcast:

Probably the first order of business from a roster standpoint for the new leader in New Jersey is to get a sense of where that stands: Is Hischier open to an extension? What does that cost? Either get that done or you're trading him. I don't imagine they would go into a lame duck year with him.
Hischier would have huge, huge value as a trade piece if that's the way this ends up breaking.

Hischier has a year remaining on a seven-year, $50.75 million deal ($7.25M AAV). With 26 goals, to go with 93 over the previous three seasons, the 27-year-old will be able to ask for a nice raise, given the going rate as the salary cap skyrockets. He could be able to command anywhere from $10M to $12M annually.

And when asked about it recently, Hischier certainly didn't sound like he was itching to sign on the dotted line.

"I'm focusing on playing hockey here," Hischier said when asked about a potential extension this summer. "I still have one more year. I'm with the Devils right now, and then we'll see what happens."

With that type of response, a new hockey boss better get a feel pretty quickly for whether Hischier is willing to extend. He's been top-3 in Devils' scoring for five straight years, and they will not want to lose him without a top return. If they look to make a trade, the player does have a 10-team no-trade list.

We could see a blockbuster Hischier trade this offseason. Welcome to New Jersey, Mr. New GM, whoever you may be.