Nico Hischier

The Wild are again being tied to Nico Hischier as they search for a cleaner path to real playoff damage. These are the conversations front offices have when they believe one center can change how every line behind him behaves. Minnesota does not need a slogan right now - it needs a player who can make the rest of the roster look more dangerous.

Minnesota is being connected to Nico Hischier as the club looks for a piece that can push the whole operation forward. That kind of speculation usually says as much about the team’s current needs as it does about the player being linked to them. If the fit is real, the Wild would be talking about more than a nice add - they would be talking about changing the shape of their playoff ceiling.

Nico Hischier and Timo Meier commit to Team Switzerland for the World Championship, pulling double duty after grinding through the NHL season with the Devils. Front offices in Newark breathe a sigh of relief knowing their stars dodge the injury roulette of international play, but Swiss fans salivate over this dynamic duo lighting up the tournament. With both guys fresh off contract years and eyeing bigger roles, their WC performance sends ripples back to the NHL draft table and beyond.