Nico Hischier, Miro Heiskanen, and Nolan Patrick (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Nico Hischier was the better 2017 NHL Draft pick for the New Jersey Devils.
The New Jersey Devils are in desperate need of a first-line defenseman. The team made multiple moves to try to get one. They traded for Sami Vatanen and signed Will Butcher in 2017. Both were good moves, but neither turned out to be a top-line defenseman on a consistent basis. They drafted Ty Smith in 2018. He looks like he’s going to be a good player, but his upside is in question.