Nico Hischier signs five-year extension with New Jersey Devils

New Jersey Devils captain Nico Hischier has signed a five-year contract extension worth $58.5 million, averaging $11.7 million per year. The Swiss center chose to commit to the franchise on July 1 rather than waiting to become an unrestricted free agent in 2027.

Hischier expressed a desire to give back to the organization that selected him as the first overall pick in the 2017 draft. The decision followed discussions with the team's new general manager, Sunny Mehta, who replaced Tom Fitzgerald earlier this spring. Hischier noted that understanding the organization's future direction and long-term plan was a key factor in his commitment.

Despite a recent season where the Devils earned 87 points and missed the playoffs, Hischier remains confident in the roster's potential. He stated that the team has proven it can be extremely dangerous and expressed belief in the group in the locker room to return to the top sixteen.