Hischier's Future Dictates Devils' Every Move

Nico Hischier stands as the Devils' captain and two-way anchor, with his contract ticking down to its final years and rippling through every front-office decision in Newark. General manager Tom Fitzgerald eyes hockey trades that could shake the core, but Hischier's modified no-trade clause complicates any bold swings before the deadline. As New Jersey pushes for contention, the path forward hinges on whether they lock in their Swiss star or reshape around him for the long haul.