標籤: celebrate

It’s hard to believe that nine years have passed since the New Jersey Devils selected Nico Hischier with the No. 1 pick in the 2017 NHL Draft.

It’s even harder to believe that Hischier is already in the top 20 in games played in Devils history, despite the fact that he only has one Stanley Cup playoff series win to his name.

But the Devils captain crossed the 600-game threshold in New Jersey’s 5-3 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday night.

“Everyone here plays for each other,” Hischier said. “Obviously, I wanted to win, and I know everyone here wanted to win, too.”

Hischier is already 19th on the Devils’ all-time games played list, despite the fact that he is still only 10 months away from his 30th birthday. He’s quietly having another great year by leading the Devils in goals (26) and is third on the team in points (58) with nine games played.

Nico Hischier is already a Devils all-time great through 600 games

He can fly under the radar, league-wide, and even in New Jersey. But through 600 games, Hischier is on his way to hanging his number from the rafters at the Prudential Center — and any potential future building in which the Devils play.

Hischier is four points behind Scott Gomez for sixth on the Devils’ all-time points list and is already fifth on the Devils’ all-time goals list with 197. With a hot finish he can hope to take sole possession of third place, as Travis Zajac and Bobby Holik share that mark with 202 goals in a Devils uniform.

If Hischier finished ahead of Zajac and Holik, or even tied with them, it would mean he reached his third 30-goal season and second in a row under Devils coach Sheldon Keefe. Keefe understands what an accomplishment that will be, especially with the defensive load that Hischier carries every night.

“I don’t give Nico Hischier a very easy transition,” Keefe said Sunday. “He is very carefree in areas where we need him to take extra charge for our team.

“To have those numbers and still be aggressive, is tremendous.”

Hischier often plays second fiddle to superstar center Jack Hughes. But even the Devils’ record holder for single-season points can appreciate Hischier’s accomplishment.

“He’s headed for 1,000 [games]. I think 1,000 is a big number, right?” Hughes said of Hischier. “But he’s very young, and has already played 600 games, he just has to keep going and he’ll have a great career.”

The Devils would be wise to lock up Nico Hischier after this season

Hischier is eligible for a contract extension on July 1, and adding New Jersey’s captain should be priority No. 1 this offseason – on par with hiring a coach and/or general manager if the Harris/Blitzer ownership group decides to make a change.

The key to any future success for the Devils is Hischier, even more so than Hughes. Hughes has shown himself to be an integral player as the last two seasons have been prematurely ended by injury to No. 86, but the Devils won’t smell a Cup without Hischier’s two-way play.

Not re-signing Hischier would be one of the first signs of the roster falling apart, which some Devils fans might be able to stomach based on how attractive the potential of this core is. The group headlined by Hischier and Hughes will ultimately win nothing more than a first-round series over the New York Rangers in 2023, but management should keep giving it a chance.

But Hischier will have to stay, too. For what it’s worth, he’s talking like a player who wants to wear No. 13 in New Jersey for years to come.

“I am extremely grateful for [playing 600 games with the Devils],” Hischier said. “To be honest, it happens pretty fast. But I am grateful to have reached that milestone and hope there are more to come.”

Pat Pickens is an award-winning sports writer and author who has covered the NHL since 2013. He reveals more about Pat Pickens.

Kon Knuppel made a splash with his performance in the Charlotte Hornets’ matchup with the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night.

Knueppel is halfway through his rookie year in the NBA with the Hornets. He has made remarkable progress as one of the best-performing newcomers from the 2025 draft class, becoming a contender for Rookie of the Year.

The star rookie proved himself with another excellent performance against Cleveland. In 37 minutes of action, Knueppel had a stat line of 33 points, six rebounds, two assists and one steal. He made 11 of 20 shots from the field, including 7 of 15 from beyond the arc and 4 of 5 from the free-throw line.

Kon Knuppel in the Hornets’ loss to the Cavs tonight 🐝

33 points 11-of-20 FG
6 rebounds 7-of-15 3pts
0 turnover pic.twitter.com/hhvqBDhVu3

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 21 February 2026

It didn’t take long for fans to react to her performance, expressing their amazement at the newbie’s star talent. Here are some of their reactions.

One fan said, “Kon Nuppel kid is gonna be a problem. So good 💫.”

“This is a big night for Kon Knueppel – 33 points on 11/20 shooting and 7/15 from three is excellent efficiency – especially in 37 minutes. This kind of perimeter shooting shows confidence and ability to make serious shots,” another commented.

One commented, “Kon Knueppel dropped 33 points on 7 of 15 from three in the same night Donovan Mitchell scored 32 and the Cavs are showing they have a lot of ways to beat you. Knueppel is no longer a rookie, he’s a weapon.”

“33 in 37 minutes…that’s the real production 🔥,” one replied.

One fan said, “No need for that kind of “adjustment” from day one. It would be a travesty if he wasn’t rotten.”

Kon Nueppel, how the Hornets played against the Cavaliers

Despite notable efforts from Kon Knueppel, it was not enough as the Hornets lost to the Cavaliers 118–113.

Five players scored in double figures for Charlotte in the loss, including Knueppel. LaMelo Ball was next with 18 points and six assists, Brandon Miller had 18 points and four assists, Ryan Kalkbrenner added 12 points and 13 rebounds, while Josh Green added 11 points and two assists.

Charlotte finished the season with a 26–31 record and 10th place in the Eastern Conference standings. They are above the Milwaukee Bucks and Chicago Bulls, while trailing the Atlanta Hawks and Miami Heat.

The Hornets will look to bounce back in their next match while on the road. They will face the Washington Wizards on February 22, tip-off at 6 PM ET.

Philadelphia 76ers rookie VJ Edgecombe shined in the Rising Stars at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles on Friday after leading Team Vince to the title.

For his strong performances in the mini-tournament, Edgecombe was the undefeated winner as MVP. In two games, he scored 23 points on 8-of-13 shooting, including 6-7 from three-point range, and seven rebounds.

He also hit game-winners in both games, underscoring his willingness to perform in pressure moments.

Fans praised the 20-year-old guard for his impressive performance at All-Star Weekend.

@PhillySports_V said, “VJ has that clutch gene that you can’t teach. When the lights are the brightest, he plays his best.”

@iamibTaihaj08 said, “VJ has put his name ahead of the greats.”

@lukatroncic23 wrote, “We drafted Valdez Edgecombe Jr. I have literal tears in my eyes right now.”

“Vince got a ring before Melo and T-Mac,” @SeahawksNicca posted, referring to Vince Carter, Carmelo Anthony and Tracy McGrady, who were selected as Rising Stars coaches along with Austin Rivers.

@K1utchSzn commented, “VJ Edgecombe hit game-winners in both Rising Stars games. This guy chose All-Star Weekend to announce himself to the world.”

Edgecombe joins Allen Iverson and Andre Iguodala as the 76ers’ only players be named mvp Of rising stars.

“Vince, you know, he wanted me to be aggressive the whole time. I showed him that. I just tried to show him why he picked me as his first choice, which was a blessing,” Edgecomb said in the postgame conference.

“I just tried to show him why he chose me as his first choice.” @CastrolUSA Rising star MVP VJ Edgecombe will play for Vince Carter! pic.twitter.com/ZjcAjuZolp

– NBA (@NBA) 14 February 2026

The former Baylor standout also honored Carter with a T-shirt before Rising Stars.

Maybe the Slam Dunk Contest should be next for Edgecombe at All-Star Weekend.