Nico Hischier Reaches 200-Goal Milestone as Devils Captain Leads Team’s Strong Start

With the 2026-27 season officially underway, the New Jersey Devils already have plenty to celebrate. Timo Meier skated in his 700th NHL game earlier this month, while Jake Allen hit number 500 against the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday afternoon.

But the matinee matchup versus the Canucks was even more special, because it marked yet another milestone for the Devils — this time for their captain. Nico Hischier scored his 200th NHL goal with a wrist shot on the man advantage to tie the game halfway through the first. He then netted another power-play goal in the second period, giving the Devils a 4-1 lead.

Milestones on milestones.

#NJDevils | @Mikes_Amazing https://t.co/Pulx1PKhXx

— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) October 10, 2026

When asked what it meant to reach such an impressive milestone after the game, Hischier humbly told the media, “Obviously makes me proud… Hopefully there are a couple more coming, so I hope I’m not done. I still want to get better, and I want to take this team somewhere.”

This marks his tenth season in New Jersey, making him the longest-tenured player alongside his alternate captain, Jesper Bratt. Now, Hischier is looking to raise the bar even further, with his sights set on the Stanley Cup.

However, his 201 career goals are just the beginning of a long list of achievements since the Devils drafted him first overall in 2017. Two seasons ago, he earned his first two career hat tricks. Then, in 2025-26, he led the league in both faceoffs taken (1,808) and faceoff wins (1,008), finishing the season as the Devils’ leading goal scorer (28). All of these factors have helped cement his place as one of the NHL’s most impactful two-way centers.

Hischier currently ranks fifth overall in goals for the franchise and is quickly catching up to Travis Zajac and Bobby Holik, who are tied with 202. There’s no doubt that he’ll go down in history as one of the Devils’ greatest players, known for his impactful leadership, all-situations capabilities, and defensive responsibility. And now that he’s entering his prime, there’s no telling what the franchise can achieve with Hischier at the helm.

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