MUNICH — The topsy-turvy nature of the past four New Jersey Devils seasons has been especially unsettling for Nico Hischier.As captain since 2021, Hischier was heavily invested in New Jersey’s long-awaited return to the playoffs in 2022-23, only to experience the team’s precipitous 31-point decline the following season. That was followed by another return to the playoffs in 2024-25 and a fall back to 87 points last year, well beneath the wild-card cutoff in the Eastern Conference.“I’ve learned it’s a ruthless league,” Hischier told The Athletic during the NHL/NHLPA European Player Media Tour.It hasn’t turned the 27-year-old center into a ruthless operator, though.Hischier had the opportunity as a prospective 2027 unrestricted free agent to take his time and survey options before making an important decision about his playing future. Choosing to play out his existing contract would almost certainly have maximized his earning potential in a rising-cap environment. And if he simply wanted off the ship in New Jersey, the chance to force the issue was there this summer, because the Devils would not have risked losing the two-way center for nothing if Hischier chose not to engage in discussions about a new contract.Instead, the No. 1 pick from 2017 signed a five-year, $58.5 million extension on July 1 — the first day he was eligible.“For me it was clear: My goal is to give something back to New Jersey,” Hischier said. “They gave me a chance to play in the NHL. They picked me.”Why sports leagues finally embraced Las VegasTifo SportsNot only did his loyalty extend beyond the disappointment of last season, it also survived a front-office shakeup in the spring. Sunny Mehta was hired to replace Tom Fitzgerald in April, and Hischier came away with a good first impression of the team’s new general manager.