I believe Nico 🫡 is one of the best captains in the league because he leads by example. He's not flashy or constantly in the headlines, but every single night he's doing little things that help the team win. He'll block shots, kill penalties, take the toughest defensive matchups, and still put up solid offensive plays.

What I love most about him is how much he genuinely cares about the team. You can tell he's completely invested in every game, whether the Devils are winning or getting blown out (happening more often than not this past year unfortunately). He celebrates with the guys after big goals, gets frustrated when things aren't going well, and you can just see how much every result means to him. It never feels like he's just going through the motions, Nico wears every win and every loss with the team, sometimes I think he's even too hard on himself.

He's also one of the most complete two-way forwards in the league. He can shut down the other team's best players while still creating offense, which isn't something every captain can do. He doesn't need to score a hat trick to have an incredible game because he impacts every part of the ice.

That's a huge reason why he's one of my favorite players. I love watching someone who's so talented but also cares so deeply about his teammates and the success of the team. He isn't chasing the spotlight or trying to be the center of attention, he just wants the Devils to win, and I think that's exactly what makes him such an incredible and reliable captain, which is something thats so important.

I also think the most underrated parts of Nico's game is just how complete he is. People look at his point totals, but they don't always notice everything else he's doing. He's trusted in every situation; five-on-five, power plays, penalty kills, protecting a lead, or tying a game. Keefe can lean on him because he plays a smart, reliable game at both ends of the ice.

His faceoff ability is a perfect example. This past season, he won 1,008 faceoffs (yes I do just know that I was there for those last few dammit), making him the only player in the entire NHL to reach 1,000 faceoff wins. That's an insane accomplishment when you think about how many draws he takes against the other team's centers every single night. Winning faceoffs means starting with possession, and Nico consistently gives the Devils that advantage.

What makes him so good, though, is that he's not elite at just one thing. He can score, set up plays, shut down top players, kill penalties, win faceoffs, and play in every situation without ever looking out of place. He's the kind of player people dream of having because you know exactly what you're going to get from him every night: effort, consistency, and smart hockey. That's what makes Nico such an incredibly skilled player in my eyes.

Nico is honestly one of my biggest inspirations in my own game. I'm never going to be the flashiest player on the ice, and that's okay because neither is he. He reminds me that you don't have to score every game or make highlight-reel plays to have a huge impact. The little things matter just as much.

I also love how hard he works every shift. He never acts like he's above doing the dirty work. Whether it's blocking a shot, backchecking, winning a faceoff, or battling along the boards, he gives everything he has.

That's the kind of player I want to be.

More than anything, Nico has taught me that being a great hockey player is about consistency, effort, and putting the team first. Whenever I'm on the ice, I try to bring that same mindset.

If I can be the kind of teammate that's reliable, hardworking, and willing to do whatever helps the team win, then I'll feel like I'm playing the game the right way.