Habs Trade Target: Nico Hischier

However, it should be noted that we at Sick Media were given a scoop on Sunday from a well-respected Devils source that Hischier and the Devils are working hard on getting an extension done in the coming weeks. Hischier is heading into the final year of a 7-year $50.75 million contract during the 2026-27 season. With that being said, the priority is for Hischier to remain with the Devils. Nonetheless, there is a chance the situation can change at any time over the few weeks as we approach the NHL Entry Draft on Friday, June 26th, which is why we are covering Hischier as a potential target if made available.

Hopefully for the Habs, Hischier will be on the trade market, as he and Nick Suzuki would form the perfect 1-2 punch for the Canadiens going forward. The truth is the two players play a very similar strong two-way game, with Suzuki being the better offensive presence, but Hischier is arguably better on the defensive end due to his dominant presence in the faceoff circle. Hischier finished the 2025-26 season as the only centre to win over 1000 faceoffs.

During the playoffs, the Habs proved to be a very good faceoff team, which played a key role in their wins throughout the first two rounds. Adding Hischier to a group that includes Suzuki, Jake Evans, and Phillip Danault, who have all been great in the faceoff dot recently, can help the Habs win more games by gaining more possession by starting the majority of shifts with the puck. One of the biggest issues on the Habs’ 2nd line this past year was their struggles winning face-offs, up until Evans moved up the lineup for the playoffs. However, the truth is Evans should be in a bottom-six role, while someone more offensive-minded like a Hischier will form a great offensive duo with Ivan Demidov on a second line.

Having the puck to start shifts will be very important in Demidov creating more offence at 5-on-5 than he did last season. As good as his chemistry with Oliver Kapanen was for the majority of the season, the truth is that his fellow rookie wasn’t consistent enough in the faceoff circle, causing them to defend a lot to start their shifts. This is where Hischier, who can drive offence on the line himself unlike Kapanen, comes in to help in that situation.

Not only will Hischier help Demidov produce more consistent offence, but he can also continue to help him develop his defensive game similarly to how Evans helped him during the playoffs. Making a duo between these two forwards is the type of situation that will make Demidov better in all areas of his game. Playing with Evans and Alex Newhook during the postseason worked well, but come the regular season, Demidov will need someone that can be more offensively oriented than Evans. Hischier can be that guy without giving up the offence. Meanwhile, if the Habs don’t get another top-6 forward, Newhook can serve as a solid speedy complementary winger to complete the 2nd line. However, it would be ideal if the Habs could get another scoring winger to complete the line in the case of the slight chance that Hischier is traded to Montreal. By doing that the Habs will have a lethal top 6 all the way through.

Hischier has scored 27 goals or more and 66+ points in each of the last 4 years as he’s developed into one of the best 2nd line centres. As a result, it isn’t shocking that the Devils are looking to keep him, but in the chance that they can’t come to an agreement, the Habs will need to be ready to fork up a big package to get their hands on Hischier.

Given that he’s just entered his prime like Suzuki, Hischier would be a great fit with the Habs and could be the answer as the 2nd line centre for the next 8 years, which will allow the team to have a nice Cup window in that timeline. Of course, in order to get him to be part of the team long-term, the trade would likely need to be a sign-and-trade if the Habs were ever to make this move. In the case that an extension would be agreed upon on a trade, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Habs trade Michael Hage or Alexander Zharovsky , Oliver Kapanen/ Adam Engstrom/Bryce Pickford, and 2 1st round picks to get Hischier. It would likely have to be similar to the Matthew Knies trade that didn’t go through on time at the trade deadline with the possibility that Hage could be included instead of Zharovsky.

When discussing a potential extension, considering how Hischier has never recorded over a point per game, despite coming close on a few occasions. He is also a great two-way player that can play in any situation. If we look at his comparables, Dylan Larkin, who is actually on the trade market, could be a fair comparable. However, due to the rising cap, he can argue for more money than the $8.7 million cap hit. This is where the $9.5 million-$10 million per season range over the next 7 years seems like a fair deal for the former 1st overall pick.

If Hischier does end up not re-signing with the Devils, would you be willing to do a sign-and-trade to get him if the contract is 7 years at $70 million, or would you look elsewhere for a 2nd line centre?