Drafted number one in the 2017 NHL Draft, Nico Hischier made history as the first player from Switzerland to be taken with the first pick by the New Jersey Devils, the team he is still playing for.

Hischier, as expected, made the opening day roster in his inaugural year in North American professional Hockey, and did well with 52 Points and a seventh-place finish for the Calder.  The next three seasons were a struggle for Hischier, who had 104 Points in 148 games during that period. Although he represented the Devils in the 2020 All-Star Game, it was a disappointing run for the Swiss Center.

It turned around for Hischier two years ago, as he had 60 Points, showing improvement in all facets of his game.  In 2022-23, Hischier grew his Points tally to 80 and had 67 and 69 the last two years, showing that he is on the right path.  Hischier may not have lived up to the expectations of a number one pick, especially considering that Cale Makar was taken in the same draft. However, there is still time to prove that New Jersey acquired a top ten franchise player, particularly an exemplary two-way hockey player.

A mid-level draft pick in 2015 by the Ducks, Troy Terry had an excellent amateur career in his home state of Colorado, playing at the state’s top level until he joined the University of Denver, where he led the Pioneers to a win in the 2017 Frozen Four.  Following that title, Terry left for the team that drafted him, the Anaheim Ducks.

Terry bounced back and forth between Anaheim and the Minors in his first two years and was a whole Duck in his third season, though he was mainly used on a lower line.  What propelled Terry to this list was his last season, where he exploded with a 37-30-67 campaign, emerging as Anaheim’s top sniper and an All-Star.  The American had another 60-plus Point year three years ago and had 54 the year after.   Last season, Terry had 55 Points, marking his fourth straight year over 50..

Terry could be poised for a massive breakout year if the dominoes all fall his way.

Adam Henrique became a gritty fan favorite in New Jersey for his penalty killing and likability, but all good things come to an end, and after eight years, he was traded early in the 2017-18 campaign to the Anaheim Ducks.

Henrique’s style with the Ducks altered a bit, as he rarely does penalty kills and is more often on a power play, and tries to put the puck in the net.  A leader on and off the ice, Henrique had two 20-goal Seasons for Anaheim and likely would have had a third in 2023-24, had he not been traded to Edmonton at the trade deadline.  He compiled 264 Points for Anaheim. 

Tenacious and quick, Bryan Rust sounds about right when you think of a man from Pontiac, Michigan.

Rust played collegiately at Notre Dame, where the Right Wing was good enough to gain a Third Round selection by the Penguins, though it was four years later until he debuted for the parent club.  Playing sparingly until his third year, Rust aided the Pens in their 2016 and 2017 Stanley Cup Championships, even winning the nickname of “Mr. Eliminator” for his penchant to score series-closing Goals.

In all of his last six seasons, Rust has scored at least 20 Goals, and last year he set personal bests in Goals (31) and Points (65).  How fortunate have the Penguins been to have him over the last decade?