I don't mean this in a troll-y way, but either guy could probably step right in. There isn't a lot of competition at the center position on the Devils.

My personal opinion: Hischier will be the better of the two.
- eichiefs9

I think Hischer is dependent on somebody getting him puck, where as Patrick is player looking to move the puck. But either player will be good.

I think Hischer is dependent on somebody getting him puck, where as Patrick is player looking to move the puck. But either player will be good.
- tomburton99

I don't know, Hischier seems like he's pretty capable of generating plenty of offense on his own. If you watch some of the clips (there's a limited amount, I know) in Todd's write-up you'll see that Hischier is really strong on the puck and seemingly capable of creating offense for the players around him, rather than being dependent on his linemates.

Something about Patrick just screams "bland" to me.

If i were to compare the two guys, to current NHL players, i would say, Nico Hischier reminds me a lot of Nicklas Backstrom of Washington. both around 6'0''. smooth skaters, with skill and vision.

as for Nolan Patrick, i see comparisons to Mark Scheifele of the Winnipeg Jets. 6'3'' Frame. Solid shot and presence on the ice. not the greatest skater, and his hands and protection of the puck compensate for it.

both are going to be solid players in the NHL...the question will ultimately come down to, is how healthy will Nolan Patrick be. and what type of player do the Devils want.

If i were to compare the two guys, to current NHL players, i would say, Nico Hischier reminds me a lot of Nicklas Backstrom of Washington. both around 6'0''. smooth skaters, with skill and vision.

as for Nolan Patrick, i see comparisons to Mark Scheifele of the Winnipeg Jets. 6'3'' Frame. Solid shot and presence on the ice. not the greatest skater, and his hands and protection of the puck compensate for it.

both are going to be solid players in the NHL...the question will ultimately come down to, is how healthy will Nolan Patrick be. and what type of player do the Devils want.
- Sandro

Actually, yeah... maybe Patrick has the better shot and might end up being a bit thicker, but yeah, good call.

well hopefully patrick isn't the 2nd coming of Zajac (190 cm center from winnipeg with a right handed shot that plays a great 2 way game that wears #19) anyway I'm so happy we are finally 1st. wouldn't be surprised if we traded this pick to lv

My mistake I thought hischier was Swedish
- Devils314

So it's cool now since he's not a swede?

Honestly don't get these swede haters

The Flyer fan in me hopes you bypass Patrick, but I honestly think that's who Shero goes with. The fact that he already has amazing chemistry with Quenneville is really just the icing on the cake. Not that Hirschier isn't great as well. Honestly don't think there's a bad pick here but Nolan could be wearing the 'C' in New Jersey for a very long time...

Pick Patrick
Sign Shatt
Sign Kovy
trade productive Kovy at trade deadline for future.

I don't mean this in a troll-y way, but either guy could probably step right in. There isn't a lot of competition at the center position on the Devils.

My personal opinion: Hischier will be the better of the two.
- eichiefs9

There is next year. Zacha, McLeod, Henrique, Zajac are all centers. Zacha can play the wing if needed, but he's a natural center.

Pick Patrick
Sign Shatt
Sign Kovy
trade productive Kovy at trade deadline for future.
- Chieppa1

He's been shatting the bed in the playoffs.

If i were to compare the two guys, to current NHL players, i would say, Nico Hischier reminds me a lot of Nicklas Backstrom of Washington. both around 6'0''. smooth skaters, with skill and vision.

as for Nolan Patrick, i see comparisons to Mark Scheifele of the Winnipeg Jets. 6'3'' Frame. Solid shot and presence on the ice. not the greatest skater, and his hands and protection of the puck compensate for it.

both are going to be solid players in the NHL...the question will ultimately come down to, is how healthy will Nolan Patrick be. and what type of player do the Devils want.
- Sandro

Mark Scheifele is quietly emerging as maybe the potential best player of his draft class. Nikita Kucherov also right there.

He's been shatting the bed in the playoffs.
- TheJerseyDevil1

That's because he's been paired with the pylon known as Brooks Orpik.

He's been shatting the bed in the playoffs.
- TheJerseyDevil1

Well this post didn't age well.

I've heard more comparisons of nolan to Sean Monahan and Nico Hischier to Patrick kane. As a flyers fan I'm glad you guys have to make the decision. I think hischier will spend a year maybe even 2 in the ahl. He's still got largely a teenager body and is one the younger players in this draft. Nolan is an instant nhl player. Nolan I think is better today but I think hischier is better in his career. Deep down inside I just hope Shero makes the wrong decision and you guys are tormented by a stud for the next 15 years down the turnpike.

If i were to compare the two guys, to current NHL players, i would say, Nico Hischier reminds me a lot of Nicklas Backstrom of Washington. both around 6'0''. smooth skaters, with skill and vision.

as for Nolan Patrick, i see comparisons to Mark Scheifele of the Winnipeg Jets. 6'3'' Frame. Solid shot and presence on the ice. not the greatest skater, and his hands and protection of the puck compensate for it.

both are going to be solid players in the NHL...the question will ultimately come down to, is how healthy will Nolan Patrick be. and what type of player do the Devils want.
- Sandro

These are some really solid comparisons. I am thrilled with either, and am stoked at the thought of either as a Devil. I'm from Halifax and have seen the streak of MacKinnon, Drouin, Ehlers, and Meier come before Hischier. Love how fun it is to watch Hischier, but he is behind where MacKinnon, Drouin, and Ehlers were in their draft years and that worries me about whether he'll hit his ceiling. While I know this draft isn't the strongest, I'm currently seeing Patrick as the better pick. Injuries are worrisome, but I only see Hischier as being able to produce slightly more points when they reach their primes. Patrick will more than make up for a slightly lower offensive ceiling with his size and defensive play.

Type of player I see them becoming:
Patrick: 60-75 point player (player you build around)
Hischier: 50-80 point player (there's a reason Edmonton couldn't build around Hall)

Mark Scheifele is quietly emerging as maybe the potential best player of his draft class. Nikita Kucherov also right there.
- tomburton99

Johnny Gaudreau also there.

EK kind of stealing your thunder with this topic today

I won't pretend to be super informed on these two guys, but based on a bit of reading I feel like Patrick has been set at the top of this draft class for over two years, and missed a bunch of time this year due to the sports hernia, allowing Hischier to "last minute" make a run at being potentially #1 by having a great season. I personally feel like you go with the guy who's been the consensus for years over someone who's had one great season while the other player missed a bunch of time. Recency bias. I'm sure both are great players but as of now I'd go for Patrick.

Man I wish the Stars had #2 instead of the Flyers. Pressure's on!
- MannySilvers

Ya probably true, but is it because Patrick has shown all that he is/has and Hischier is continuing to grow? I'm mean Patrick will also continue to develop! Injuries will heal better for a young body, but it could be a slight factor? Man its a tough one but I'm sure either way you'll be happy with either! Good luck guys with the draft and the offseason

These are some really solid comparisons. I am thrilled with either, and am stoked at the thought of either as a Devil. I'm from Halifax and have seen the streak of MacKinnon, Drouin, Ehlers, and Meier come before Hischier. Love how fun it is to watch Hischier, but he is behind where MacKinnon, Drouin, and Ehlers were in their draft years and that worries me about whether he'll hit his ceiling. While I know this draft isn't the strongest, I'm currently seeing Patrick as the better pick. Injuries are worrisome, but I only see Hischier as being able to produce slightly more points when they reach their primes. Patrick will more than make up for a slightly lower offensive ceiling with his size and defensive play.

Type of player I see them becoming:
Patrick: 60-75 point player (player you build around)
Hischier: 50-80 point player (there's a reason Edmonton couldn't build around Hall)
- NJD Fan

Edmonton could build around Hall; they didn't do it successfully and he became their only moveable asset (at fair market value) as the result.

Well this post didn't age well.
- TheJerseyDevil1

Johnny Gaudreau also there.
- archromat

Very true. In a re-draft they go 1, 2 and 3. (Any order you want.)

These are some really solid comparisons. I am thrilled with either, and am stoked at the thought of either as a Devil. I'm from Halifax and have seen the streak of MacKinnon, Drouin, Ehlers, and Meier come before Hischier. Love how fun it is to watch Hischier, but he is behind where MacKinnon, Drouin, and Ehlers were in their draft years and that worries me about whether he'll hit his ceiling. While I know this draft isn't the strongest, I'm currently seeing Patrick as the better pick. Injuries are worrisome, but I only see Hischier as being able to produce slightly more points when they reach their primes. Patrick will more than make up for a slightly lower offensive ceiling with his size and defensive play.

Type of player I see them becoming:
Patrick: 60-75 point player (player you build around)
Hischier: 50-80 point player (there's a reason Edmonton couldn't build around Hall)
- NJD Fan

Great post, and knowing that you have seen these guys and your assessment makes total sense to imho, it's like matthews might be a better all around player, but I always thought that lammi would get more goals! So Patrick will have Hall and? To set up and being a big body bodes well for that situation

I've heard more comparisons of nolan to Sean Monahan and Nico Hischier to Patrick kane. As a flyers fan I'm glad you guys have to make the decision. I think hischier will spend a year maybe even 2 in the ahl. He's still got largely a teenager body and is one the younger players in this draft. Nolan is an instant nhl player. Nolan I think is better today but I think hischier is better in his career. Deep down inside I just hope Shero makes the wrong decision and you guys are tormented by a stud for the next 15 years down the turnpike.
- Tfaehner

No chance Nico Hischier is the next Patrick Kane, that's not a slight to Hischier either. Look at Kane's draft year, in 74 combined regular season and playoff games, he had 176 points. Patrick Kane was a full point better per game than Hischier.

I know everyone will argue the point, but the size differential is important. Devils have been getting manhandled for years, and either have forwards who are grinders, or skill players who get bounced around.

Henrique will stand up for himself, but is not a big guy, and Palmieri as a banger, but not all that big. Zajac (whom I personally am a fan of) has gotten votes for the Lady Bing in the past, so he is not going to help in the physicality department.

Zacha is a power forward. Patrick looks to be a skilled, power center icemen.

Lastly, Patrick is thought of as a very good in the faceoff circle. Which leads to puck possession, something all those who view the games through hockey-metrics should appreciate.

I know everyone will argue the point, but the size differential is important. Devils have been getting manhandled for years, and either have forwards who are grinders, or skill players who get bounced around.

Henrique will stand up for himself, but is not a big guy, and Palmieri as a banger, but not all that big. Zajac (whom I personally am a fan of) has gotten votes for the Lady Bing in the past, so he is not going to help in the physicality department.

Zacha is a power forward. Patrick looks to be a skilled, power center icemen.

Lastly, Patrick is thought of as a very good in the faceoff circle. Which leads to puck possession, something all those who view the games through hockey-metrics should appreciate.
- ChipArm

Mcleod ain't tiny. Devils are starting to be set up well moving into the future.

I know everyone will argue the point, but the size differential is important. Devils have been getting manhandled for years, and either have forwards who are grinders, or skill players who get bounced around.

Henrique will stand up for himself, but is not a big guy, and Palmieri as a banger, but not all that big. Zajac (whom I personally am a fan of) has gotten votes for the Lady Bing in the past, so he is not going to help in the physicality department.

Zacha is a power forward. Patrick looks to be a skilled, power center icemen.

Lastly, Patrick is thought of as a very good in the faceoff circle. Which leads to puck possession, something all those who view the games through hockey-metrics should appreciate.
- ChipArm

We suck at faceoffs too because we have two guys playing center that should be on wing