Trade talk regarding New Jersey Devils superstar ignores the one detail that matters most
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Daniel Lucente
Jun 11, 2026 (10:37)
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Photo credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
Pierre LeBrun still believes Nico Hischier will sign an extension with the New Jersey Devils, and his reasoning deserves more attention than it is getting.
Half the league is reportedly monitoring the 27-year-old center heading into the final season of his $7.25 million AAV deal.
The Kings need a replacement for Anze Kopitar. The Wild have been hunting a first-line center for months.
The Canadiens see Hischier as a left-handed Nick Suzuki and would reportedly pay a serious price.
All of that is real interest from real teams. None of it changes the contract math working in New Jersey's favor.
"The most likely outcome is Hischier staying put and signing an extension with the Devils."
- Pierre LeBrun
- Pierre LeBrun
The CBA detail nobody is connecting
Hischier becomes extension-eligible on July 1. Under the current collective bargaining agreement, re-signing players can receive a maximum eight-year term.
If the anticipated CBA changes take effect, that window could shrink to seven years for re-signings and six for unrestricted free agents.
That timeline does not favor waiting. Every month Hischier delays costs him potential term and guaranteed money on a deal projected north of $11 million annually by AFP Analytics.
Agent Allain Roy told Puckpedia the talks are in their infancy, but he also confirmed the next month with GM Sunny Mehta would be critical.
Loyalty is not the whole story
LeBrun calling Hischier loyal and proud to be captain sounds like sentiment, but it maps onto real behavior.
Hischier has been a Devil for nine seasons since going first overall in 2017. He played all 82 games last year, posted 28 goals and 66 points, and led the NHL in faceoff wins with over 1,000.
The teams dreaming about Hischier are building plans around a scenario that the financial incentives actively discourage.
New Jersey has the cap room and the player's trust. The CBA clock is ticking toward the Devils, not away from them.
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